Youth Soccer Safety

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, and its popularity in the United States has grown dramatically. Playing soccer is generally healthy, but youth soccer also represents the third most common cause of youth sports injury in the U.S. (following football and basketball). It’s also the leading cause of concussions to girls. In the past, we have studied factors that lead soccer players to be hurt. More recently, we have explored whether the addition of extra referees on the field might reduce risk for player injuries in youth soccer matches.

Sample Publications

• Schwebel, D. C., Long, D. L., & McClure, L. A. (2020). Injuries on the youth soccer (football) field: Do additional referees reduce risk? A randomized crossover trial. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 45, 759-766.
• Schwebel, D. C., & Brezausek, C. M. (2014). Child development and pediatric sports/recreation injuries: Injury by year of age. Journal of Athletic Training, 49, 780-785.
• Schwebel, D. C., Banaszek, M. M., & McDaniel, M. (2007). Brief report: Behavioral risk factors for youth soccer (football) injury. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 32, 411-416.
• Schwebel, D. C., McDaniel, M., & Banaszek, M. M. (2006). Ecology of player-to-player contact in boys’ youth soccer play. Journal of Safety Research, 37, 507-510.