What’s going on: When Lindsey Vonn tears an ACL, everyone understands how brutal that is. But you don’t hear about the 15-year-old who tears hers twice and quits soccer before she can drive. One knee surgeon told The New York Times the injury is “probably the biggest youth sports issue in the world right now, apart from concussions.” Among high school athletes, girls are three to six times more likely than boys to tear an ACL, according to NYT. Over the past 15 years, their injury rate has more than doubled compared to boys, and the risk climbs higher for girls who play year-round. But here’s the kicker: prevention exists. A 20-minute warm-up called FIFA 11+ has shown it can cut ACL tears by up to 80%. And yet most youth teams still skip it. Unlike concussion protocols, FIFA 11+ is still optional.
The takeaway: Most ACL tears don’t come from some dramatic collision. They happen in a blink — a hard pivot, a sudden stop — when a knee can’t handle the force. Year-round schedules only stack more stress on the same joints, and talent can’t outrun overuse. Programs like FIFA 11+ can help strengthen legs and improve balance so knees don’t take the hit alone. The routine is free, available on YouTube or as an exercise sheet. And it’s not just for soccer, young athletes playing any sport can use it. Meanwhile, real off-seasons, cross-training, and dedicated strength work are other moves that can give growing bodies time to recover and get stronger.
