Professional soccer players are often accused of setting a bad example for children with their theatrical diving and writhing on the field in supposed agony when they've barely been touched.But perhaps more dangerous than faking a foul is playing on when genuinely injured - and it seems the macho attitude of some professional athletes are also having a bad influence on young people.According to a recent study by a personal injury law firm, 56% of children would play on after receiving an injury on the field, while 45% worried that they would be branded a 'wimp' if they went off because of an injury.&nbsp; And of the 1,000 11 to 16-year-olds questioned, more than half (54%) said they 'admired' professionals for being 'tough' for carrying on despite injury.&nbsp;56% of children would play on after receiving an injury on the field45%worried that they would be branded a 'wimp' if they went off because of an injury54% of 11 to 16 year olds said they 'admired' professionals for being 'tough' for carrying on despite injuryprevnextAs coach your main priority should always be the health and wellbeing of your players. So as much as we all love to hear of players continuing to play on through the pain, this attitude is not something you should encourage with your players.&nbsp; Allowing players to continue to play on when injured can lead to further injury and prolong the recovery period - meaning a player could be out of action for weeks or months, for the sake of an extra 15 minutes on field.Keep and eye out for this developing trend and keep your players safe.

The macho attitude of playing through injury by some professional athletes are also having a bad influence on young people.  As coach your main priority should always be the health and wellbeing of your players.