Chesapeake Public Schools Embraces Heads Up Football® Safety Program

CHESAPEAKE – Chesapeake Public Schools (CPS) has implemented the USA Football Heads Up Football® program division wide.  Chesapeake’s commitment to player safety solidified the decision to adopt the Heads Up Football® program.  All CPS middle school and high school stipend football coaches completed the NFHSLearn.com online modules in May 2016. A master training clinic was then held on June 20, 2016, at Grassfield High School for all CPS middle school and high school football coaches.  The clinic included the educational components of concussion recognition and response, heat preparedness and hydration, sudden cardiac arrest, proper equipment fitting, and tackling and blocking skills.  This targeted education for coaches increases the emphasis on prevention, recognition, and basic treatment of athletes which ultimately reinforces best practices for the safety of our players.

About Heads Up Football®

Heads Up Football® is a USA Football initiative to make the sport better and safer.  The program has a successful track record of reducing concussion related injuries in the sport.  Heads Up Football High School is the sport’s most comprehensive high school player safety program encompassing an array of medically endorsed coach education resources.  The program consists of two key features and six required education components with a new advanced roll tackling method.

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 contact.

USA Football’s Heads Up Blocking® helps coaches teach players how to properly engage with a defender, drive with the legs, and maintain the correct body position for effective and safer play.

The program is endorsed by the Virginia High School League, National Federation of High School Sports State Associations, National Football Association, NCAA, and USA Football.

 

cc: The Virginian-Pilot

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