Injuries are common in the game of soccer. In some cases, the injuries can be so bad that you fracture a bone, in which you will require a cast for it to heal. Ideally, you should not play another game until you recover fully.
However, if you must play a game with an arm cast, you could cover it properly to prevent injuring yourself further or accidentally hurting other players around you. Therefore, you can learn how to cover a cast for soccer here.
You always check with your soccer league first before attempting to play with a cast on. Some leagues do not permit players to do so even if you wrap it up correctly.
In that case, you will have to sit out that game and recover first. However, if you can cover an arm injury, then you will need the following materials.
- Bubble wrap or foam
- An elastic bandage
- Medical tape or packing tape
Knowing how to effectively wrap a cast for a soccer game won’t only help you participate in a game. It will also allow you to play without the fear of it coming apart as you start to sweat during the game.
Therefore, this article will explore the following:
- A step-by-step process on how to cover a cast for a soccer game so that you get it right the first time
- Why it’s important to wrap your cast for a soccer game
- Some tips to keep in mind when covering a cast on your arm for a game
If you’re ready to play in a big soccer game even if you have an arm injury with a cast on, then learn to cover it up properly so that you can play safely and without worry.
What Are the Steps Involved with Covering a Cast for Soccer?
It’s best to educate yourself on how to cover a cast for soccer so that you’re not a liability to your team by playing with an injury. Here’s an overview of all the steps involved with wrapping up your cast.
Gather the Appropriate Materials
Make sure that you have materials that will provide you and other players with appropriate safety when you play a soccer game with a cast on your arm.
Get Bubble Wrap, Foam, or Another Similar Material
The best material that you can use to maximize safe is a sheet of bubble wrap that’s at least 0.5 inches thick.
You could also replace that with foam or any other similar material. You should also make sure that the width of the bubble wrap roll is more than that of your cast.
This way, you won’t need to create any unevenness as you try to cover one part and the other using two separate pieces of bubble wrap.
Get an Elastic Bandage
In addition to the wrapping material, you’ll need some elastic bandages to hold the wrap into place.
There are some self-adhesive elastic bandages that can stick to your cast with ease. This will make it easier for you to wrap the bubble wrap or foam without letting it get loose while trying to secure it.
1. Get Medical Tape or Packing Tape
The adhesive on elastic bandages can start to come apart because of your sweat and the sweat of other players crashing into you.
Dirt and other elements from the game can also contribute to this. So, some pieces of medical tape or packaging tape will keep everything in place.
2. Cut the Bubble Wrap’s Width to Math Your Cast’s Width
Now the second step of how to cover a cast for soccer is arguably the most important one. This is because it will ensure that your entire cast is covered with no exposed areas at all.
So, measure your cast’s width and cut the bubble wrap to about an inch over that width. A slightly wider bubble wrap will provide more margin for error. Make sure not to cut the length of the bubble wrap yet.
3. Cover Your Cast with the Bubble Wrap or Foam
The next part of how to cover a cast for soccer is to wrap it with bubble wrap or foam. Hold one end of the bubble wrap on your cast and place a piece of medical tape there.
This way, the wrap won’t move around while you go around the case a number of times.
If you’re using bubble wrap or foam that’s 0.5 inches in thickness, then you should cover it about 6 to 7 times. You can then expect it to then be soft and cushiony, preventing any potential threat to you and other players.
4. Add Tape in the Appropriate Areas
You should place some medical or packing tape at the end of the final layer of bubble wrap.
This will ensure the roll doesn’t open. Next, run some tape along the edge (or seam) of the bubble wrap so that you can add tape to both the wrap and the cast. As a result, it will stay in place on the cast.
5. Apply Elastic Bandage All Over the Cast
You can finish off this process by applying (with medium roll tension) elastic bandages on every part of the cast. Make sure all of it is covered for maximum safety.
After that stick a few pieces of tape to keep the elastic bandage in place so that the wrapping doesn’t come off during the game.
6. Get a Doctor to Approve Your Condition
You will need a doctor to sign a release form, indicating that you have securely covered the wrapping properly and that you are fit to play in the soccer game with the cast.
Provide this release form to your game’s referee before the game.
Why It’s Important to Wrap Your Cast for a Soccer Game
If there’s still some doubt about why wrapping a cast is taken so seriously in soccer games, here’s what you must know.
Protecting Other Players
For those who don’t know, your cast is made of plastic and fiberglass. This is because it’s designed to support your fractured bones by providing hard support that cannot bend.
Therefore, the cast is extremely hard, and it can easily hurt another player if you collide with them with your cast. In turn, you could severely injure the player, and match officials are aware of that happening.
That is why soccer officials have made it so important for players to wrap their casts properly.
Match Referees Inspect the Cast Wrapping Before Allowing You Onto the Field
The match referee will inspect your cast wrapping before the game. You’ll only be permitted to play if you have wrapped it securely and in a way that won’t put yourself or other players at risk.
The match referee will also prevent you from playing if there’s any part of your cast that is exposed. That is why it is essential that you check your cast from all angles to ensure that it’s covered properly.
You must remember that match officials prioritize other players’ safety before yours, so make that your referee is satisfied with the wrapping.
Protecting Yourself from Further Injury
It’s important to remember that you’re playing an intensive sport with an existing injury. So, there’s always a risk that you could make that injury by participating in the game.
That is why you should take utmost precaution from putting yourself in further harm. If you fall to the ground with your cast on your arm breaking the fall, you could damage the cast or cause your fracture to lose its setting.
The bubble wrap, on the other hand, will provide a cushioned surface that can help reduce the impact of the collision, i.e., your arm and the ground.
Tips to Keep When Using a Cast in Soccer
In addition to knowing the basics of how to over a cast for soccer, there are some tips you could follow to get you to perform at your best on the field. Keep the following in mind.
Use a Breathable Material for the Cover During Summer
While bubble wrap and foam are great materials for cushioning your cast, they are dense materials. What this means is that they can trap heat effectively.
So, if you have several layers of bubble wrap or foam over your cast during summer, you may sweat a lot on your injured arm. This could play uncomfortable for you, and it also may cause the wrap to slip off.
In that case, you could use a more breathable material such as fabric. Just make sure to consult your referee beforehand so that you meet their safety requirements as well.
Feel Comfortable Playing
It’s good to know how to over a cast for soccer, but you should only try it if you meet the following conditions:
- You feel fit enough to play with a cast on
- Your cast is on your arm (arms)
