Limiting Contact in Practice

In 2015, theJournal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)released a study that found concussions are more likely to occur during a tackle football practice rather than a game, with the reason being that there are simply more practices than games. So, to better protect players,leagues across the countrybegan to decrease the amount of person-to-person contact that occurred during practice.

One studyin particular followed a group of high school football players withinthe Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. After new rules and restrictions were passed defining and limiting the amount of contact allowed in practice, the rate of sports-related concussions decreased by 57 percent.

New Rule Changes

To eliminate potentially risky behavior that could lead to injuries,the NFL, theNational Federation of High School Sports (NFHS)and athletic associations alike have changed several football rules, banning certain drills and enforcing new penalties.

For example, full-contact drills, such as theOklahoma drill, blindside blocks, pop-up kicks, clipping, and targeting are no longer allowed. Additionally, many schools have implemented their own safety precautions by limiting the amount of players on the field and in pads during practice, as well as eliminating contact in two-a-day practices.

Coaches and players also receive mandatory training in concussion recognition and management to increase football safety awareness. In fact,concussion reoccurrences across 20 different high school sports have declinedover the last decade, likely as a result of better protocols in concussion management.

Teaching Proper Technique

Across all levels of football, coaches are teaching a new way to tackle. Certain coaches used to teach players to put their heads in front of the ball-carrier when making a tackle, essentially using their head as an extra limb to prevent their opponents from moving forward.

Today, coaches are employing new strategies that reduce the risk of head injuries, even at the professional level. For example, the Seattle Seahawks teach “Hawk tackling,” which is a rugby-style method that focuses on using your shoulder for leverage while hitting the ball-carrier’s thighs. And in youth football, players learn to wrap and roll instead of going in head first.

Even more, theNFL Way to Playis an educational initiative designed to demonstrate proper technique, explain fundamental concepts and share best practices. Football safety efforts are also being implemented in flag leagues where to successfully remove their opponent’s flags, players must square up, bend their knees and align their head exactly as they would in tackle football.

As we continue to learn from research—somestudieshave found adverse mental health and cognitive functions associated with tackle football, whileothers haven’t—parents and guardians should feel empowered to promote conversations around football safety.

Parents should inquire about their league’s strategies in preventing injuries. Understanding the ways in which a program is trying to protect its players, coupled with reading the emerging research, can help parents and guardians make informed decisions.