Soccer can be described as a contact sport as there is room for hassling and body tackling although they must fall within the rules of the game. Also, with all contact sports, there is the risk of injuries and soccer is no exception.
Soccer injuries to players can come in different forms and one of the places where soccer players can sustain injuries is their wrists. Therefore, one question that continues to linger is; Can you play soccer with a broken wrist?
It is no surprise that this question has come up. After all, soccer is mostly played with the feet. Why would a wrist injury be a factor if a player can play a soccer game professionally and at the amateur level?
Well, soccer is a game of running and concentration in which energy is expended and players have to be in the best physical conditions to engage in the action.
READ: How Many Soccer Seasons Are In A Year?
No player wants to play through the pain as it is not ideal and could even aggravate the issue. Regardless, we’ve seen some players play through injury pains as they appeared to be indispensable for their teams. Here are instances.
The answer could be Yes or No depending on the severity of the wrist injury as well as at what level the soccer is being played.
Nevertheless, if it’s a goalkeeper, he/she will be out of action until full recovery is attained regardless of the soccer level. They need their hands!
What To Expect With A Wrist Injury
When you injure your wrist, it might alter the ways in which you move as well as the amount that you can move.
A brace could be recommended as it will keep your wrist firm and safe. However, a cast or wrist brace is only a short-term solution to a more serious issue.
Regardless, if you sustain a wrist injury, you must adhere to your physician’s instructions in order to prevent the situation from getting worse.
READ: What Does -1 Mean On A Soccer Bet?
It is essential to keep in mind that a fractured wrist might result in serious complications; hence, it is essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Can You Play Soccer With A Broken Wrist? – The Rules
According to FIFA regulations, a player with a broken wrist is ineligible to participate in competitive soccer.
However, if they have some form of wrist protection on, they will be able to return to practice with the squad around two weeks after the injury occurred.
Other rules also state that a player who is currently wearing a cast must have padding on the cast that is of a particular thickness if they wish to continue playing soccer while the cast is still on.
This is due to the fact that a cast is extremely strong and can pose a danger to opposition players during games.
READ: Premier League Titles By Club
Casts are made of fiberglass, which is an extremely tough material. Therefore, it can pose a significant danger to other players who will be on the field at the same time as the injured player.
Also, rules stipulate that the thickness of any casts that players may wear while participating in the game must be padded at least two inches.
If the regulations aren’t followed, there is a practically zero percent chance that the injured player will be able to return to the game. The well-being of the players is of the utmost importance.
However, if the reverse is the case, and if the player and club have followed the rules, there really shouldn’t be any reason why the player shouldn’t be able to play as long as they have followed the rules.
READ: What is relegation in soccer?
What To Do After Suffering A Wrist Injury
There are some steps that can be taken to allow a wrist injury to heal quickly so that players can return to action sooner rather than later. For players at both amateur and professional levels:
- Allow your body the necessary amount of time to recover.
- By getting healthy food to eat, you could seek medical advice on the best foods that will enhance the healing process.
Conclusion
The fact is that after a wrist injury, you won’t be able to participate in a soccer match very soon. Regardless, after spending one to two weeks in recovery, you will be able to resume practicing with the rest of your squad.
As for the question, it all depends on the severity of the wrist injury as we’ve seen professional players play through worse injuries.
If it’s a goalkeeper, he won’t take part in any action regardless of whether it’s at the amateur or professional level until full recovery is attained.
Kenneth is a an avid soccer follower, fan and writer. He is a consistent follower of the sport and is a fan of Chelsea FC.