This chat is for Football Coaches interested in Continuous Learning and Networking #TXHSFBCHAT and sponsored by the most profitable card @fundraisercards
If you, like me, have previously blown off the claims of football being under attack, you need to reconsider your position. Lawmakers in CA and other states are making decisions based on incomplete information and lack of coach voice. #TXHSFBCHAT
We are not only responsible for keeping our kids safe and teaching them how to play safely, but we are also charged with promoting and advancing the safety of football as we stay involved with the sport we love #TXHSFBCHAT
Cody Gardner
Park City, UT
DC/RB/LB
Lover of the loaf! Nothing says I love you like the loaf. Its a tradition that my mother started when I was a kid.
#txhsfbchat#noGIFjustLOAF
Rowdy Harper Broken Arrow HS OLine and associate run game coordinator. Really excited for tonight’s topic, just wrote an article about this exact thing. It’s very important to stand up for football! #TXHSFBCHAT
Make sure you follow other coaches tonight and engage in conversation. The more we share, the more our voice is amplified and we can educate the public! #TXHSFBCHAT
A1: We give each helmet in our program a unique number to track as it goes through our program. This allows us to keep up with reconditioning and age of helmet. I have not received any formal helmet fitting training #TXHSFBCHAT
A1A) Yes, we had the Riddell guys come in a few years ago when we bought new helmets to make sure we all fit correctly.
A1B) Every helmet is numbered and when the equipment is given out, the player is assigned a number. Every year the helmets get reconditioned. #txhsfbchat
A1) Yes. Went to training about how to measure head size and then helmet size accordingly. 1B) Not a HC, but where I have been they get reconditioned every year to make sure they are good to go. If not useable, throw away. #TXHSFBCHAT
A1) we have an equipment manager that does a great job of fitting kids with the proper gear. 2 years ago we ordered over 150 speed flexes so ALL our athletes could have the best helmets available at the time. #TXHSFBCHAT
A-1 yes, every coach in our program is. I learned some stuff at a recent training that I didn’t know though which bothered me. We track them though our reconditioning every year. WA has the every other year law #TXHSFBCHAT
A1A) Yes, we had the Riddell guys come in a few years ago when we bought new helmets to make sure we all fit correctly.
A1B) Every helmet is numbered and when the equipment is given out, the player is assigned a number. Every year the helmets get reconditioned. #txhsfbchat
A1) We are blessed with the abilityto purchase very good equipment, if not the best. I also like that we stock a variety of brand and models, somethings just don’t fit. Gotta have options. #TXHSFBCHAT
A1 Yes we are. There is no certification to fit helmets. There should be certification process. 1b we work with @XenithFootball and track players by serial #’s and track hits through the @AiSportPlatform#TXHSFBCHAT
In reply to
@txhsfbchat, @XenithFootball, @AiSportPlatform
One good thing that I was told (actually by a Schutt rep) is to have different brands of helmets in your program. Some kids will fit better / like the feel of a different brand of helmet. No such thing as one size fits all. #txhsfbchat
A2 blocking and tackling are the keys to the game we teach it every day. head placement is key In blocking we teach aim points and hands to make sure head is out of block #TXHSFBCHAT
Q-2 that’s the basis for any conversation on both, head placement. Tackling we strike through the hip and thigh, blocking we strike with our hands in the beast plate with head coiled back like a cobra #TXHSFBCHAT
A2: Technique IS the emphasis. We form tackle daily during pre-practice. It’s low impact with a focus on proper head placement (“Slide to the side.”) #TXHSFBCHAT
Took head out of tackling. Have to. Right or wrong agree or disagree. Tackling has to be taught without helmets and repped without. No reference to head at all. Still effective ,efficient methods to teach ,rep and execute tackle without head #txhsfbchat
A2) As OL coach, always teach head back and shoot hands. Never hit with head. Move feet and close down hips to make movement. Wouldn’t play an athlete who kept hitting head first. #TXHSFBCHAT
A1: I address proper fit with my OL. In the past I have taught where their helmet fits when they engage. The more I read and watch with @SAFEFootballUSA I like their approach and focus on use of hands and feet to get the block #TXHSFBCHAT
At first, as a LB Coach I taught head up across the bow like I was taught Now we teach near hip near shoulder like the Seahawks do. as a receivers coach I stress head up eyes up in all drills. You can’t block what you can’t see and you can’t catch if you can’t see it #TXHSFBCHAT
A2) We completely embraced and adopted the Hawk/Rugby tackling and found ways to work it even without pads on. The @shadowmansports dummys are very useful for working on this technique full speed. #txhsfbchat
A2) We teach the seahawk stuff, from day , we take it slow and I am sure the kids dread it at some point. Tuesday of the first round of the playoffs we were still teaching tackling. Our HC is making a large effort to bring the same work and progression to blocking. #txhsfbchat
A2: Proper technique is always taught and stressed. Head back and shoot hands on the OL. Teaching Rugby style tackling as well. Taking the head out of the game. All legitimate coaches teach proper technique! Many years of training! #txhsfbchat
We have to continue to look for new ways to teach are players and inform parents and the community on the good things we are doing to make the game safer. #TXHSFBCHAT
We have a great athletic trainer, And support staff. If the C word is even thought to be a possibility she evaluates them and if suspected she lets head coach and position coach know to make plans to continue with or without that player. What she says goes. #TXHSFBCHAT
In NY ,Anytime question of head injury the district/school appointed dr or trainer must assess on field. Out of coaches hands. If they determine concussion (through IMPACT test usually) player has to see a neurologist district chosen. Then return to play protocol #txhsfbchat
A3) If a player ever says anything about their head, I send them straight to the trainer and let the trainer handle everything. Talk to trainer about everything after that point, never listen to an athlete. #TXHSFBCHAT
A3: When our trainer determines/suspects a concussion, the player is removed from play & referred to the physician for diagnosis. Once determined to be a concussion, the physician must clear them to begin the 5 day return to play protocol. They must pass RTP to return #TXHSFBCHAT
A3: We have a certified trainer from Athletico on our staff. Players go directly to him for testing. We impact test at the beginning of the season for a baseline. Once a player goes to the trainer, we don't get him back until he has been fully cleared. #TXHSFBCHAT
A3: Concussion Protocol! They do not do any activity until they are cleared by the doctor. There are several steps in place. Final step is clearance by a licensed Medical Doctor #TXHSFBCHAT
A3) Immediately see our trainer- no questions asked. Get it into a medically trained person hands ASAP. All our kids do baseline tests in summer. I believe trainer administers test right away unless kid in obvious serious trouble. #txhsfbchat
A4) I have not been told to attend any concussion training. We are required to take test about concussion, heat stroke and hydration every year and sumbit results to AD. #TXHSFBCHAT
A3) We have been partnered with some local hospitals and the players are all given the concussion baseline test. They must pass that and get clearance from an MD before coming back. #txhsfbchat
A4) CA has CIF coaching course (1 time class), annual concussion, cardiac arrest and heat stroke courses, 1st Aid and CPR must be updated. I also do heads up certification and may require my entire staff to do so too- coming soon to CA??? #txhsfbchat
The days of not being trained have to be over. If you have an AT, let them make the call. If not there are comprehensive safety apps like @teamsafesports#TXHSFBCHAT
A4: OSSAA here in Oklahoma is the governing body for all Secondary Athletics. We are required by state law for Sudden Cardiac, CPR, Concussion Protocol and Heat Illness and coaches must have recertification every year! #TXHSFBCHAT
Q5: Does your program present to the parents the safety measures your program implements to ensure their child is being trained in the safest possible way? #TXHSFBCHAT
Coaches can you help us CA brethren? Please follow @SaveCAFootball. A couple ill informed state lawmakers proposed a ban on tackle football until HS yet our state doesn’t require certified trainers at practice. (We are lucky we do have a trainer) #txhsfbchat
As a non-teacher in IL I had to take the ASEP cert course, it was a great thing. I learned a ton, it isn't too pricey, you may want to look into it.
#txhsfbchat
A5: We have disclosed concussion protocol with parents, especially during the sensitive past few years. This takes place at the pre-season meeting at the beginning of the school year. #TXHSFBCHAT
A5) At the previous program I worked for there was a parent manual that explained every detail of the program including safety. Also spoke about it at the parent meeting (required to attend) #TXHSFBCHAT
A5)We definitely talk about the equipment we are or have purchased. We encourage baseline testing. We also talk about the commitment to the weight room as a preventative measure as well. #txhsfbchat
A5) Great question. I’ve focused on the positives of 🏈 and have skimmed over safety measures with parents. However this year we are doing a football 101 class in which we will show equipment, let parents try and have them go through basic drills/skills we teach. #txhsfbchat
Not as well as we should. We all need to become salesmen and sell our sport more. It’s not even a sales pitch it’s facts. The amount of professionalism that football coaches exhibit is not understood by many. #txhsfbchat
A5: We give them paperwork that the state requires. We also have a parent meeting and discuss teaching methods and explain equipment and their safety features #TXHSFBCHAT
Not as well as we should. We all need to become salesmen and sell our sport more. It’s not even a sales pitch it’s facts. The amount of professionalism that football coaches exhibit is not understood by many. #txhsfbchat
Have a parents clinics. Have a couple nights set aside to truly explain how your program is going to be safer. Let the community know that you are coaching up their athletes to succeed on and off the football field.#TXHSFBCHAT
A5) I briefly explained the concussion baseline testing and the protocol involved, but no, I should have done a much better job explaining the other safety aspects of the program. #txhsfbchat
We are doing great things with our programs, but I think we all realize there is more to do! Keep working to advance the game and be proactive in keeping players safe! #TXHSFBCHAT
