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Football Safety Advice From the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research

High School and Pop Warner Football: Preventing Concussion, Serious Injury Or Death

The National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research suggests the following four measures to reduce or prevent serious injury (concussion, traumatic brain injury, spinal paralysis) or death in football:
  1. Continued emphasis by coaches and officals on enforcement of the 1976 rule change which prohibited initial contact with the head in blocking and tackling (spearing). 

  2. Continued research in helmet safety.

  3. Improved medical care of the injured athlete.  An emphasis on placing certified athletic trainers in all high schools and colleges. There should be a written emergency plan for serious injuries such as concussions and traumatic brain, neck or spine injuries both at the high school and college levels.

  4. Improved coaching technique when teaching the fundamentals of proper blocking and tackling (i.e. keeping the head out of blocking and tackling!)
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