Protecting High School Football Players From Major Head Injuries
By: Bejoy Joseph
Updated: November 26, 2012
HAGERSTOWN, MD - While the high school football season is coming to an end, head coaches are already preparing for next season.
Coaches say the first thing they do is teach players how to avoid contact that can lead to a serious head injury. They say talking to their players on how to properly tackle without helmet to helmet contact is a great way to avoid getting hurt on the field.
Coaches say they also stress on wrapping the opposing player with their arms instead of using their head to help prevent unnecessary injuries. They say with bigger and faster players roaming the field, the concern for a concussion among the young adults is greater than ever.
"It's pretty much we monitor the kids, if the kid has a head injury, we tell them right away they need to get it checked out by doctor," says Dan Cunningham, head football coach for North Hagerstown High School. "If they are not cleared, they can not play, practice or do anything."
According to a national research study, 13 catastrophic brain injuries were reported in high school football last year. This is the highest number recorded since the study started tracking brain injuries in 1984.
Coaches say the first thing they do is teach players how to avoid contact that can lead to a serious head injury. They say talking to their players on how to properly tackle without helmet to helmet contact is a great way to avoid getting hurt on the field.
Coaches say they also stress on wrapping the opposing player with their arms instead of using their head to help prevent unnecessary injuries. They say with bigger and faster players roaming the field, the concern for a concussion among the young adults is greater than ever.
"It's pretty much we monitor the kids, if the kid has a head injury, we tell them right away they need to get it checked out by doctor," says Dan Cunningham, head football coach for North Hagerstown High School. "If they are not cleared, they can not play, practice or do anything."
According to a national research study, 13 catastrophic brain injuries were reported in high school football last year. This is the highest number recorded since the study started tracking brain injuries in 1984.
