USA Football's Heads Up initiative is a comprehensive collection of resources, programs, applications and promotions to create change and address the complex challenges of player health and safety in youth and high school football.

KEY COMPONENTS

• Education & Certification
• Equipment Fitting
• Concussion Recognition & Awareness
• Heat & Hydration
• Heads Up Tackling

EQUIPMENT FITTING

It is essential that every player has a properly fitted helmet and shoulder pads. League administrators, coaches and parents should be able to recognize equipment that fits properly and check the fit of equipment throughout the season. Improperly fitted equipment can place an athlete at greater risk for injury.

CONCUSSION AWARENESS

Education is the first step to help protect players from concussion.

Coaches and parents should know what to look for on the field and encourage attention to concussion symptoms. Topics include:

• What is a concussion?
• Signs and symptoms of a concussion
• What to do when a concussion occurs

Heads up Tackling℠

USA Football’s Heads Up TacklingSM is a step-by-step protocol to teach the core principles of the skill and sets a new standard in player safety. The program utilizes five fundamentals through a series of drills to reinforce proper tackling mechanics and teach players how to properly tackle with a focus on reducing helmet contacts.

HEAT & HYDRATION

Heads Up Football strengthens its commitment to player safety by adding a heat and hydration training curriculum – with assistance from the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut.

Targeted education for coaches and parents increases the emphasis on prevention, recognition and basic treatment of athletes. Best practices reinforce heat and hydration related safety at all levels.

• Defining and recognizing the heat illness
• Practical strategies for heat illness prevention
• Guidelines for practice and play in warm environments

OHIO RETURN TO PLAY