1) High quality equipment from Riddell (Been around since 1939) We will be using the Speed Icon helmet which is one of the most common helmets at the pro and collegiate levels. This type of helmet costs more than most youth helmets, but is definitely worth it.

2) Former NFL Equipment Manager will make sure our coaches fit the kids correctly. John Laske is not only a former equipment manger with many pro teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Washington Federals (USFL), Texas Terror (AFL), and Florida Bobcats (AFL), he was also the equipment guy on movies such as Any Given Sunday and The Replacements. It’s important to point out that 3 in 4 youth football players have ill-fitting helmets, posing concussion risk. This was presented by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) as part of their Expo 2020.

3) We will teach Hawk Tackling, a Rugby style tackle used by the Seattle Seahawks. The Rugby tackle has NEVER included the head, and rugby players play without helmets and facemasks. The key is to 1) use the shoulder, and 2) keep the head outside the tackle.

4) Limited contact in practice once the season starts. When I played football in the 80s, we hit each other at every practice. We know not to do this now. We still practice tackling every practice but with practice dummies called Shadowmen. The kids can hit the dummies as hard as they want, and tackling can be practiced more frequently. This technique is being used by NFL, Pro, and High School teams.