The Sports, The Gear, The Prevention
Here is a sampling of common sports, the types of safety equipment needed, and other steps parents, kids and coaches can take to minimize the risk of injury.

Football
This sport leads in the number of injuries, especially in boys, in organized sports.

• Common injuries and locations: Bruises, sprains, strains, pulled muscles, soft tissue tears such as ligaments, broken bones, internal injuries (bruised or damaged organs), back injuries, sunburn. Knees and ankles are the most common injury sites.
  
• Safest playing with: Helmet; mouth guard; shoulder pads; athletic supporters for males; chest/rib pads; forearm, elbow, and thigh pads; shin guards; proper shoes; sunscreen; water.
  
• Prevention: Proper use of safety equipment, warm-up exercises, proper coaching and conditioning.

Basketball
Basketball has the highest rate of knee injuries requiring surgery among girls.

• Common injuries and locations: Sprains, strains, bruises, fractures, scrapes, dislocation, cuts, dental injuries. Ankles, knees (injury rates are higher in girls, especially for the anterior cruciate ligament, the wide ligament that limits rotation and forward movement of the shin bone), shoulder (rotator cuff strains and tears, where tendons at the end of muscles attach to the upper arm and shoulder bones).
  
• Safest playing with: Eye protection, elbow and kneepads, mouth guard, athletic supporters for males, proper shoes, and water. If playing outdoors, add a hat and sunscreen.
  
• Prevention: Strength training (particularly knees and shoulders), aerobics (exercises that develop the strength and endurance of heart and lungs), warm-up exercises, proper coaching, and use of safety equipment.

Soccer

• Common injuries: Bruises, cuts and scrapes, headaches, sunburn.
  
• Safest playing with: Shin guards, athletic supporters for males, cleats, sunscreen, water.
  
• Prevention: Aerobic conditioning and warm-ups, and proper training in "heading" the ball. ("Heading" is using the head to strike or make a play with the ball.)
  

Baseball and Softball

• Common injuries: Soft tissue strains, impact injuries that include fractures due to sliding and being hit by a ball, sunburn.
  
• Safest playing with: Batting helmet, shin guards, elbow guards, athletic supporters for males, mouth guard, sunscreen, cleats, hat, breakaway bases.
  
• Prevention: Proper conditioning and warm-ups.

Gymnastics

• Common injuries: Sprains and strains of soft tissues.
  
• Safest playing with: Athletic supporters for males, safety harness, joint supports (such as neoprene wraps), water.
  
• Prevention: Proper conditioning and warm-ups.
  

Track and Field

• Competing at running, walking, jumping, throwing, or pushing events.
  
• Common injuries: Strains, sprains, scrapes from falls.
  
• Safest playing with: Proper shoes, athletic supporters for males, sunscreen, water.
  
• Prevention: Proper conditioning and coaching.