A Balance Approach to Injury Prevent in Soccer

More than 3 million of America’s youth ages 5 to 19 participate in organized soccer, a contact sport with inevitable risk for injury.

 With many athletes not engaged in regular practices and training camps due to COVID-19, the staff at Balance Physical Therapy wants to educate the Central Coast community about the importance of staying active and continuing to complete individual exercises.

 Toward that end, BPT has planned an interactive, in-depth conversation on preventing the most common injuries in soccer.

Limited to 10 participants, the free seminar will be held Thursday, Aug. 27, from 5-6 p.m. at Balance Physical Therapy & Human Performance Center, 143 John St., Salinas.

The class will be led by BPT staff member, Dr. Kurt Muñoz, a licensed Physical Therapist who played collegiate soccer for the University of California at Santa Cruz, where he helped lead his team to the NCAA division III national title game.

Born and raised in Watsonville, Muñoz spent much of his childhood playing competitive soccer throughout Monterey County. During the seminar, he will focus on the FIFA 11+ Warm Up Protocol, a youth-focused, 20-minute, warm-up program that when performed prior to training (at least twice a week) will reduce injuries by up to 50 percent. Muñoz will provide other tips and assessment tools to keep players healthy and on the field once team sports commence.

Those who wish to participate must pre-register on Eventbrite here.