The Heads Up Program
USA Football’s Heads Up Tackling℠ 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. - See more at: http://usafootball.com/headsup#sthash.qlqodFc7.dpuf
USA Football’s Heads Up Tackling℠ 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.
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION
The only nationally accredited courses with content created by football experts and health professionals.
Give your coaches the best in coaching education. After completing an age-based course, coaches will earn certification, receive a certificate, appear on the USA Football National Coaching Registry and become eligible for coaching insurance benefits.
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.
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.
Effective, 12/2/2019 tackle football programs in New York State are required to provide an informational packet about concussions and sub-concussive blows, and the injuries that might occur as a result of receiving such blows, to the parents or guardians of all children participating in tackle football programs.
Tackle football programs include any practice, game or other activity which involves engaging in tackle football and which is organized by a school, adult, or public or private league or other entity whose purpose is to allow children to participate in contact football.
The informational packet of resources provided below can be downloaded free of charge for distribution. Programs can select those resources that are most appropriate. Suggestions for distribution may include posting these resources to program websites, sharing via email or providing in print.