As the trainer has a certain responsibility towards the players health, especially if he is trainer for youth, is a good idea to be prepared, as in handball injuries happens. Handball is a high risk sport with lots of body contact and fast movements, and in case of an injury it is important the trainer bring along a bag which contains the most necessary things, which could be needed.

What must the bag then contain?

Nothing! unfortunately many trainers says. Some remembers however to bring ice to the games, but forget that an injury might happen during training as well.

I have always - both for training and in a game - a bag, which contains many things, of which the most important articles are:

Ice
I never forget a course, where the doctor told about a player, whom in a match received a blow from the opponent's knee on her thigh. The trainer did not bring any ice with him, so she was placed on the bench to moan. The next day she woke up with a thigh that big, that an elephant would consider a slimming diet. It turned up that she has had bleedings under the muscle membrane in her thigh. Ice and compression could have got her started again within 2-3 weeks. In stead about 2 years went and 2 operations were performed to make her thigh normal again. Therefore: REMEMBER ICE ALWAYS

Ice spray can be used as psychological treatment, but nothing else, as the spray does not have any depth effect.

Plaster
Why that? Well, the rules say that bleedings must be covered, but there are other factors. When little Sophie presents her 2 mm "gaping" cut, where - with the help of a little squeezing - a tiny drop of blood appears - then you will be the great hero, if you takes it seriously and bring forward a plaster and help.

Elastic binding
If the injury has happen and the RICE-principle must be applied, an elastic binding can be useful. You can of course stay with the player and press an ice bag on the sprain for 20-30 minutes, but it is much easier to wrap an elastic binding around the ice bag. At the same time the ice bag will be able to keep the cold mush longer as it is wrapped in. Besides that an elastic binding is effective to support a sprained joint. The elastic bindings must be present in a broad and narrow model. I cannot recommend the self-adhesive types. They are smart to use, but when you have to roll them back again you really have a problem

Pair of tweezers
Nice to have if you must remove a splinter from a finger or foot.

Sharp needles
Also nice to have if a splinter must be removed.

Binding for arm support
If the arm must be kept at rest it is better that asking the player to put her hand down in front of her pants.

Tape
Tapening but also to cover jewellery and hairpins - secure elastic bindings and more.

Cleaning tissues for wounds
To remove dirt and foreign bodies from a wound. The tissues contain hexadrine, which helps to disinfect the wound.

A pair of scissors
Practical to cut plaster and elastic bindings in suitable lengths.

Muscle/warming ointment
A bit luxurious, but good for sore muscles. However watch out! There are 2 types: a 24-hour and a 48-hour ointment. The 48-hour ointment is powerful and must not be applied on injuries, which are less than 48 hours old, as it may loosen the ulceration on the damage spot causing that the bleeding to start again.

Of course more things can be put into the bag, but I find these things most important.

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