My football coach said that tightening your muscles before tackling an opponent can reduce the chance of injury. Is this true?

Research backs your coach up on this one. Compared to relaxed muscles, contracted muscles do a better job of absorbing the impact of a direct hit.


When you contract your muscles, the muscles stiffen for impact. This makes a kind of wall against injury. Contracted muscles distribute the force of a blow over a larger area. This may help prevent extensive damage to any one place in the muscle.