Fall Sports Injuries: When to Seek Care - Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

September 28, 2021

UPDATED: August 3, 2026

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Sprains and strains are the most common injury across nearly every high school sport, followed by concussions, fractures, and shin splints.
Practices account for roughly 45% of high school sports injuries, which is why they deserve the same warm-up, technique, and safety attention as games.
Prevention comes down to fundamentals: strength training, stretching, hydration, proper technique, adequate sleep, and building back gradually after the off-season.
Each sport carries its own risk profile. Football sees the highest concussion rate by a wide margin, while soccer and volleyball athletes most often injure the ankle.
The RICE method (rest, ice, compression, elevation) is the right first response to a contusion or ankle sprain, but it isn’t a substitute for evaluation.
Persistent pain, inability to bear weight, significant swelling, bruising on the bottom of the foot, or any suspected concussion means it’s time to be seen.

The fall sports season is kicking into full gear. As young athletes head back out on the field or court, the possibility of injury echoes in the back of every parent’s mind — and for good reason.

More than 8.2 million students played high school sports during the 2024-25 school year, an all-time high. Injuries come with that territory. The National High School Sports-Related Injury Surveillance Study, which has tracked high school athletes for 20 years, recorded 2.3 injuries for every 1,000 practices and competitions in 2024-25, and sprains and strains were the most common diagnosis in nearly every sport it follows. Those are decidedly treatable and even avoidable in some cases.

So, what precautions should student athletes take to protect themselves from the most common injuries in their sport of choice?

Prevention Is Protection

That word “avoidable” is critical. Prevention is protection when it comes to kids’ injuries. That starts with understanding when most incidents occur and how to avoid them.

Practice and training

Practice and training are the times people let their guard down, and it shows. Roughly 45% of high school sports injuries in 2024-25 happened at practice rather than in competition (National High School Sports-Related Injury Surveillance Study). Any single practice carries a lower injury rate than any single game, but athletes log far more hours practicing than competing, and that volume adds up to nearly half of everything that goes wrong. Somewhat surprisingly, many parents actually report not ensuring their kids take the same safety precautions during practices as they do games.

In short, the key to avoiding some injuries is simply treating practice as seriously as a game.

Proper conditioning

Another key to preventing an accident is proper conditioning and training. The right conditioning starts at home by getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet. On the field or court, prevention means warming up and using proper technique. It’s also not going from zero to 60 coming out of the off-season. It takes time to get back in shape, regain muscle memory, and get in the right mindset. As invincible as they feel, kids sometimes don’t recognize the importance of building up their fitness levels, which gets them into trouble.

Preventing injuries comes down to the general practices we all know. But it can be easy to forget how important those practices actually are. Stopping injuries before they start requires strength training, stretching and knowing when to rest. Prevention doesn’t stop there. Hydrating, warming up and cooling down are also crucial out on the field, court and trail. If your student athlete is feeling any level of pain or discomfort, talk with the school’s athletic trainer or schedule an appointment with Beacon. It’s better to be overly cautious, especially when you could be dealing with a more serious injury down the road that could’ve been avoided.

Two Types of Injuries

There are two types of injuries young athletes usually get, acute or overuse. Acute injuries happen suddenly, and overuse injuries live up to their name by developing slowly over time. Examples of acute injuries include sprains, strains, fractures, and concussions. Possible injuries that fall into the overuse category are related to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. We often see those in the elbows of pitchers, swimmers’ shoulders, and bone stress injuries.

7 Common Fall Sports Injuries

Some of the most common injuries we’ll see this fall sports season are:

Ankle Sprains: Twisted ankles are a major reason many athletes find themselves limping off the field. To outmaneuver this sneaky injury, gear up with top-notch cleats that offer ankle support. Always remember to stretch and strengthen those ankles regularly.
ACL Tears: Let’s face it, tearing the ACL is a nightmare for any player. Needing to run, juke, and jump without concern, doesn’t jibe with knee injuries. The secret weapon to protecting knees is targeting them on leg day in the weight room. Strengthening muscles around the knee is the first line of defense against ACL tears.
Concussions: There’s been a big focus on head injuries in sports recently and for good reason. Every athlete, especially young athletes, should take extra care in avoiding concussions. Neck strengthening is key. Crush it on the football field with proper tackles and hits. If a hit happens, don’t tough it out. Take a break and get checked out. The same goes for soccer.
Hamstring Strains: Nothing slows down an athlete more out of nowhere than a hamstring strain. Keep your game on fire by dedicating stretches and warm-ups to keep hammies loose and limber. While a grade 1 tear takes only a few days to heal, a grade 2 or 3 tear can bench a player anywhere from weeks to months; ultimately, taking them out of the season.
Shoulder Injuries: This one is especially for soccer goalies and football quarterbacks and linemen. These positions can take a toll on shoulders. Like other tips, focusing on strengthening and stretching is a player’s best bet in preventing these kinds of injuries.
Fractures: A broken bone doesn’t always announce itself with a snap. Sometimes it’s a stress fracture that creeps up over weeks of pounding the same turf. Building up mileage and intensity gradually gives bones time to adapt instead of breaking down. Load up on calcium and vitamin D, too. If pain sharpens in one specific spot and won’t quit with rest, get an x-ray rather than guessing.
Shin Splints: That deep ache along the front of the lower leg usually shows up when athletes ramp up too fast after the off-season. Worn-out shoes and hard playing surfaces make it worse. Ease into preseason mileage, replace cleats and trainers before they’re flat, and work in calf and shin strengthening. Ignoring shin splints can turn them into a stress fracture, so don’t run through them.

Where Things Can Go Wrong in a Hurry, Sport by Sport

Football

As the most popular of sports for male high school athletes, those headed to the gridiron are more likely to find themselves with ankle sprains, knee issues, leg muscle strains, and even head trauma. Football also carries the highest injury rate of any high school sport by a wide margin. While many injuries are unavoidable, some of them are caused by preventable issues like fatigue, overexertion or lack of training.

The head and face are the most commonly injured body site in high school football, followed by the knee, ankle, and shoulder. Most of that damage happens in contact: roughly 68% of football injuries occur while tackling, being tackled, blocking, or being blocked. Running backs sustain more injuries than any other position, followed by wide receivers and linebackers. That makes technique the single biggest lever a player has, and it’s why position-specific conditioning belongs alongside general strength and aerobic training.

Head trauma has been of particular concern in recent years. In 2024-25, high school football players sustained an estimated 31.7 concussions per 10,000 competition exposures, more than double the rate of any other sport in the study’s core sample (National High School Sports-Related Injury Surveillance Study), so it’s critical to remain vigilant when it comes to them. Concussion symptoms can include everything from drowsiness, confusion and headaches to nausea, blurred vision, memory loss, and more. If an athlete has these symptoms that could possibly be a concussion, seek medical attention immediately.

Watch: Dr. Steve Hamilton, sports medicine physician and orthopaedic surgeon at Beacon, breaks down the most common football injuries and what they mean for your student athlete’s season.

Soccer

Sprains and strains of the knee and ankle have the greatest chance of affecting soccer players. Everything from cartilage tears to fractures and contusions are in play on the soccer field. Achilles tendinitis and shin splints aren’t out of bounds either. If pain develops in any part of a soccer player’s leg and does not clearly improve after a few days of rest, consult a physician to determine whether the potential cause is a stress fracture.

The knee takes the worst of it. Soccer requires players to stop and shift directions quickly, and that explosive, spontaneous movement places rotational stress on the knee and its ligaments, which can cause sprains and tears. Four ligaments are at risk: the anterior cruciate (ACL) at the front of the knee, the lateral collateral (LCL) on the outside, the medial collateral (MCL) on the inside, and the posterior cruciate (PCL) at the back. Knee injuries are graded as Grade 1 (mild sprain), Grade 2 (partial tear), or Grade 3 (complete tear).

The meniscus is another frequent soccer casualty. This C-shaped piece of cartilage cushions the space between the femur and tibia, and tears often result from decelerating, pivoting, sudden impact, or twisting.

The Achilles tendon presents two separate problems. Achilles tendonitis is a chronic injury caused by overuse and felt as pain in the back of the ankle, developing over time from the repetitive, sudden movements soccer demands. An Achilles tendon rupture is a different matter: a partial or complete tear, often accompanied by a popping sound, occurring during fast, explosive movements.

Volleyball

Of the sports on this list, volleyball (and of course tennis) players are set up to most likely have upper body injuries, from their shoulders to their hands and lower backs, but they should keep an eye out for ankle problems, too. In fact, the ankle was the most commonly injured body site for high school girls’ volleyball players in 2024-25, and sprains and strains were the most common diagnosis. Adolescent volleyball players should also be very careful with their lower backs because their vertebral bones are weaker.

Cross country

Because cross country runners are on trails with uneven ground and changing elevations, they should prepare for the possibility of stress fractures and shin splints as well as Achilles issues, plantar fasciitis, and muscle, ligament and tendon strains. Shoe fit is critically important for runners as is stretching and ensuring appropriate food and water intake.

Tennis

There’s a reason tennis elbow is common. Overuse of the muscles that extend the wrist or bend it backwards can cause it, but prevention is possible. This type of injury requires proper strengthening of related muscles, a regular warm-up routine, and proper technique and grip. Tennis players should also watch out for shoulder problems, muscle strains and stress fractures.

Foot and Ankle Injuries in Fall Sports

Foot and ankle injuries deserve a closer look, because this is where we see a spike in football, soccer, and volleyball athletes every fall. So, what are some of the things to look for in potential injuries an athlete may endure? Here is how to know how severe the injury may be and when to seek care.

Contusion

Just like anywhere else on the body, your foot may have a bruise (contusion). The most common occurrences we see are when a player gets kicked, stepped on, or cleated in the ankle, foot, or lower areas of the leg. The majority of athletes can continue playing their sports when having a contusion, however they may not be feeling 100%. Many times the ability to play is due to the adrenaline rush that keeps the athlete going and not feeling the pain in the moment. After the game, when the athlete gets a break or time to rest, they start to realize that there may be a potential injury. One strategy we recommend before seeking care is the RICE method.

RICE method

Rest, rest, rest!
Ice is a good pain reliever and lowers inflammation.
Compression applied with an ace bandage helps with swelling while providing stability.
Elevate the injury to relieve swelling and limit the amount of bruising.

You must give the injury enough time. It is a battle of pressure and wanting to get back on the field, but what the body really needs is the adequate amount of time to rest up and heal. If the athlete is still experiencing pain and struggling to walk, it is time to seek a professional for care.

How to know if it is bruise or something worse? With a contusion, the athlete can usually pinpoint the focal area that is causing pain. The foot may be showing signs of mild swelling but overall, the athlete can still put weight on the foot and wear a shoe.

What’s the next step? Getting an x-ray will show that the athlete is negative for a fracture. They will be put in a boot to let it simmer down and weight bear in the boot. Next, an evaluation will be taken in 1-2 weeks to ensure there’s no more concerning injury shown. In most cases, the athlete can extricate themselves from the boot in just a couple of weeks. If they are doing well walking in the boot with no pain after a few days, the boot will be removed, and they will be allowed to start walking on the field starting with low impact exercises, in hopes to return to playing shortly after.

More severe cases

When there is a more severe injury, things become a bit more complicated. With student athletes, these cases may be caused by someone falling on the leg, a pile up in football, or the athlete falling and rotating their ankle or foot. The athlete will have an immediate out from their game followed by trouble walking. Many players will come in under their own power likely needing crutch assistance. They are usually seen quickly after the injury because of the level of pain. The swelling is much more considerable and there is usually bruising involved. These patients will need an x-ray to see if the damage is severe enough for a surgical repair.

What injuries specifically? Usually, a fracture or ligament injury will fall into this category. Regarding the ankle, many rotational injuries can result in an ankle fracture. If the athlete experiences a lot of swelling in the ankle and the inability to walk, it is very important to get an x-ray and check to make sure there is no fracture or the need for surgery.

Lisfranc injuries

Regarding the foot, the most common and concerning injury is a Lisfranc injury. This is an injury that goes back to a general in Napoleon’s army, who noticed people were twisting their feet in stirrups and these injuries were devastating, often leading to amputation. The concern here is the injury from twisting is severe and most come on strong directly through the foot, which we would call an axial loading type injury. This occurs when you’re standing on the ball of your foot and a load goes straight through the long axis of the foot. These injuries may be severe and will likely require surgery.

What to look for with these injuries and when should you be concerned it’s a Lisfranc injury? Bruising on the bottom of the foot is the best tell-tale sign. If the foot is at all twisted, the athlete will be experiencing severe pain in the middle of the foot. The injury will be very painful in the first few days to a week but, if the athlete doesn’t seek care, sometimes the pain will diminish, and they may not be as concerned about the injury. It is important to get these injuries checked out because that slight sign of improvement can give a false sense of optimism or hope that the foot will heal, which may lead to collapse and arthritis down the road.

Rolling of the ankle due to uneven ground

When an athlete sprains their ankle, if there is the ability to get a trainer to tape it or wear a brace allowing the athlete to bear weight and make some of the basic maneuvers, then they can keep playing. If they are unable to keep playing, the initial steps are short term immobilization: usually being able to walk in a boot or brace. If the pain is too significant, the player would start in the boot and transfer over to a brace as time goes on. Usually, you don’t want to wear the boot for much more than a week. If this seems necessary, it usually means that there is more going on and a specialist would want to look further into the injury.

After transitioning into the brace, under the guidance of a physical therapist or an athletic trainer, one can begin rehabilitation of the ankle. Generally, a brace and therapy allow people to avoid surgery and recover 85% of the time from a significant ankle sprain. With an ankle sprain injury, the RICE method (mentioned above) is super important to help your injury with healing. If it seems as if your sprain is not improving over the first few weeks or you may be having difficulty walking and returning to the sport, this would be the time to come in and schedule an appointment to get the injury looked at.

We Can Help

Getting immediate medical attention is crucial at the first sign of pain. Many athletes will keep playing to “push through the pain,” but that can effectively make the injury far worse than it initially was. At Beacon, we know how hard it is to miss out on precious practice and game time. That’s why it’s our goal to get our athletes back to their sport as quickly as safely possible.

At Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, we regularly see both acute and overuse injuries, and regardless of which category an athlete is experiencing, our physicians and athletic trainers are at the ready to help. Our certified athletic trainers know that better than anyone. You can learn more about them here. And if something happens where you need our expertise, our physicians are at the ready to treat you or your young athlete.

Schedule an appointment with us anytime at any of our locations if you or your student athlete is suffering from any kind of pain. Our BeaconNOW urgent care locations are open Monday through Saturday.

Fall Sports Injuries FAQs

What are the most common fall sports injuries?

Sprains and strains are the most common diagnosis in nearly every high school sport. Beyond those, fall athletes most often deal with concussions, fractures, shin splints, and ankle injuries. Football players face ankle sprains, knee issues, leg muscle strains, and head trauma. Soccer and volleyball players see the highest rates of ankle injuries.

Do more sports injuries happen during games or practice?

Any single game carries a higher injury rate than any single practice. But athletes spend far more hours practicing than competing, so practices account for roughly 45% of all high school sports injuries. That volume is why practice deserves the same warm-up, technique, and safety attention as a game.

What is the RICE method?

RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Rest gives the injury time to heal. Ice relieves pain and lowers inflammation. Compression with an ace bandage reduces swelling and adds stability. Elevation relieves swelling and limits bruising. It’s the first response for contusions and ankle sprains before seeking care.

How do I know if my athlete’s injury needs a doctor?

Seek care if pain persists after several days of rest, if the athlete can’t bear weight or walk normally, if swelling is significant, or if there’s bruising. Get immediate medical attention for any suspected concussion. When in doubt, it’s better to be overly cautious than to let a serious injury go untreated.

Can an athlete keep playing with a contusion?

Most athletes can keep playing with a contusion, though they may not feel 100%. Adrenaline often masks the pain during the game, and the injury becomes noticeable afterward during rest. If pain continues and walking is difficult, it’s time to see a specialist rather than push through.

What is a Lisfranc injury?

A Lisfranc injury affects the midfoot and usually happens when the foot twists or takes a load straight down through its long axis. Bruising on the bottom of the foot is the best tell-tale sign, along with severe midfoot pain. These injuries are serious and will likely require surgery.

How long does it take to recover from an ankle sprain?

Recovery starts with short-term immobilization in a boot or brace, usually no more than a week in the boot. After transitioning to a brace, rehabilitation begins under a physical therapist or athletic trainer. A brace and therapy allow athletes to avoid surgery and recover about 85% of the time from a significant ankle sprain.

What are the symptoms of a concussion?

Concussion symptoms include drowsiness, confusion, headaches, nausea, blurred vision, and memory loss, among others. Any athlete showing these signs after a hit or fall needs medical attention immediately. Football carries the highest concussion rate in high school sports by a wide margin.