The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) has endorsed USA Football’s Heads Up FootballSM program to make the sport better and safer for the millions of youth and high school athletes who play. USA Football, based in Indianapolis, is the sport’s national governing body.
Representing more than 25,000 athletic administrators in high schools and middle schools across the United States, the NIAAA preserves, enhances and promotes the educational values of interscholastic athletics through the professional development of its members in areas of education, leadership and service.
Nearly 2,800 youth leagues across the United States registered for Heads Up Football in 2013, accounting for more than 25 percent of the youth football community. In addition, 35 high schools in 10 states piloted Heads Up Football during the 2013 season. USA Football will offer its Heads Up Football program to all youth leagues and high schools in 2014.
“We are pleased to support and are excited about the efforts by USA Football to make the game safer for participants at all levels of the sport,” NIAAA Associated Executive Director DR. MIKE BLACKBURN said. “Education is a vital component for any initiative. The NIAAA joins its efforts with USA Football’s Heads Up Football program and endorses training in the areas of fundamental tackling technique, concussion awareness, heat and hydration safety measures and proper equipment fitting.”
“We greatly value the NIAAA’s partnership and trust,” USA Football Executive Director SCOTT HALLENBECK said. “Our highest priorities are held in common, focusing on the safety of student-athletes by establishing important standards rooted in education for a better sports experience.”
Heads Up Football stands on six primary tenets:
Heads Up Tackling
USA Football’s Heads Up Tackling technique, endorsed by medical and football experts, which teaches to keep the head up and reduces helmet contact for safer play.
Concussion recognition and response
Coaches learn and are assessed on CDC concussion recognition and response protocols through USA Football’s Level 1 Coaching Certification Course.
Coaches, parents and players are taught CDC concussion-related protocols.
Coaching education
Coaches within a youth program are trained to teach the game’s fundamentals by completing USA Football’s nationally accredited Level 1 Coaching Certification Course. High school coaches will gain training through USA Football’s High School Coach Certification course, developed in partnership with the National Federation of State High School Associations.
Equipment fitting
Coaches, parents and players are taught proper helmet and shoulder pad fitting.
Heat and hydration
Coaches, parents and players are taught heat and hydration safety measures set forth by the University of Connecticut’s Korey Stringer Institute.
Player Safety Coach
Appointed by a participating Heads Up Football youth organization or high school, this individual ensures compliance with Heads Up Football’s player safety protocols, coach certification, and the conducting of safety clinics for coaches, parents and players.
USA Football’s Heads Up Tackling technique was developed with contributions of USA Football’s Tackle Advisory Committee, which includes Northwestern head coach PAT FITZGERALD, UCLA head coach JIM MORA, former NFL running back MERRIL HOGE, Miami Christopher Columbus High School head coach CHRIS MERRITT and sports psychologist DR. DAVID YUKELSON.
Some of the medical and sport backers of USA Football’s Heads Up Football program include:
Amateur Athletic Union
Maxwell Football Club
National Parent Teacher Association
American College of Sports Medicine
Michigan H.S. Football Coaches Assoc.
National Police Athletic League
American Football Coaches Assoc.
Minnesota Football Coaches Association
North Carolina Coaches Association
American Medical Society for Sports Med.
National Athletic Trainers Association
Northern Va. Football Coaches Assoc.
Arizona Coaches Association
NATA Research & Education Foundation
Pac-12 Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
National Fed. of State High School Assoc.
Pop Warner Little Scholars
Big 12 Conference
National Football League
Pro Football Athletic Trainers Society
Big Ten Conference
NFL Alumni Association
Sport Safety International
Indiana Football Coaches Association
NFL Head, Neck & Spine Committee
Sports & Fitness Industry Association
Korey Stringer Institute
Nat’l Interscholastic Athletic Admin. Assoc.
United Youth Football
About USA Football:Indianapolis-based USA Football (usafootball.com) is the sport’s national governing body, leading the game’s development for youth, high school and other amateur football players. The independent nonprofit is the official youth football development partner of the NFL, partners with leading medical organizations and collaborates with football leaders for a better, safer game through coaching education and player skill advancement.
About NIAAA:The NIAAA is located in Indianapolis, Ind., and is the national organization for high school and middle school athletic administrators. The NIAAA membership consists of athletic administrators from organizations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Internationally. NIAAA membership provides opportunity for professional development, education, certification, national award recognition and exchange of ideas with other athletic administrators throughout the nation and world.
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Heads Up Football Endorsement
Steve Alic
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Steve Alic
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