Brain Injury Association of New York State

Football Safety

Did You Know...

Each year more than 425,000 football-related injuries to youths under the age of 15 are treated in hospitals, doctors' offices, clinics, ambulatory surgery centers and hospital emergency rooms. Football injuries associated with the brain occur at a rate of one in every 3.5 games

Football Facts

Football is responsible for more than 250,000 brain injuries in the United States each year
In any given season, 10 percent of all college players and 20 percent of high school players sustain brain injuries. Sixty three percent of high school players sustain traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Football can be hazardous to the brain. However, if football remains your child's sport of choice, youth football teams, properly supervised by qualified coaches and trainers, may provide brain building experiences and social skills for your child
Football players with brain injuries are six times as likely to sustain new injuries
Youth football has lower rates of serious injury than high school and college level football

Parents Should....

Choose a helmet that fits and is properly secured. This is the first defense in preventing a brain injury in this rough and tumble game
Choose a team/league where player safety is put before winning at all costs
Make sure the child's protective equipment is in good repair and checked regularly

Coaches Should....

Match players (size, weight, training) in contact drills. Limited tackling and blocking routines during practice
Emphasize "keeping the head out of football." No butt-blocking using your head
Teach proper techniques and rules for safety: Never face/head tackle!
Train consistently and properly. This includes doing exercise recommended for strengthening the neck and shoulder muscles

When to take action...

Players should notify their coaches and see a physician if they experience the following symptoms during play:

Headaches
Nausea
Confusion
Dizziness
Vomiting

These are early signs of concussion and must be treated to avoid further injury

For More Information.....

Brain Injury Association of America
105 North Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (708) 236-6000
Fax: (708) 236-6001
E-mail: prevention@biausa.org
www.biausa.org