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Ohio High School Athletic Association Endorses USA Football's Heads Up Football Program

August 18, 2016
News Release – Ohio High School Athletic Association
Commissioner Daniel B. Ross, Ph.D.
Interim Commissioner Dave Gray
 
 
For Immediate Release – Aug. 18, 2016
Contacts:
Steve Alic, USA Football, 317-489-4417, [email protected]
Tim Stried, Director of Information Services, [email protected]
 
OHIO HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION ENDORSES USA FOOTBALL’S HEADS UP FOOTBALL PROGRAM
 
Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns support move by OHSAA to improve the safety and quality of high school football in Ohio
 
The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has endorsed USA Football’s Heads Up Football High School® program for the betterment of the state’s football-playing student-athletes. Including the OHSAA, a total of 30 state high school athletic associations and coaches associations spanning 24 states support the USA Football program.
 
In preparation for the 2016 football season, the OHSAA recommends that each of the state’s 720 football-playing high schools enroll in the USA Football program, which is supported by the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, among other leading associations spanning medicine and sport.
 
Created and administered by independent non-profit USA Football, Heads Up Football High School establishes important standards rooted in the best available science. More than 1,100 high schools nationwide registered for the program in 2015.
 
“The OHSAA is committed to partnering with organizations that enhance student-athlete safety throughout the state of Ohio,” said OHSAA Assistant Commissioner Beau Rugg. “The education gained through USA Football’s Heads Up Football High School program will improve the overall quality and safety of play while keeping the same fun, competitive atmosphere for which Ohio high school football is known. We are excited to begin.”
 
The Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns each support the OHSAA’s endorsement of USA Football’s Heads Up Football High School program.
 
Heads Up Football High School is a comprehensive approach to teach and play the sport. The program teaches tackling and blocking techniques designed to reduce helmet contact and improve skill development and all-sport-relevant topics including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concussion recognition and response; sudden cardiac arrest protocols; hydration and heat preparedness; and instruction on proper helmet and shoulder pad fitting.
 
Schools participating in the USA Football program are to designate a Player Safety Coach (PSC) from their football coaching staffs. PSCs are trained to guide, direct and monitor the program’s implementation as well as lead in-person training for fellow coaches, parents and players. PSCs have access to USA Football clinics throughout the offseason to learn Heads Up Football protocols and techniques. Coaches within high schools enrolled in the program gain training through USA Football’s Heads Up Football High School Coach Certification, which was developed in partnership with National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).
 
Education Components of Heads Up Football High School:
  • Concussion Recognition and Response
  • Heat Preparedness and Hydration
  • Sudden Cardiac Arrest
  • Proper Equipment Fitting
  • Shoulder Tackling
  • Heads Up Blocking
 
“This endorsement by the Ohio High School Athletic Association sends a positive message and unifies leaders in football across Ohio through a shared commitment to its young athletes,” said USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck. “We are proud to partner with the OHSAA for the good of its member schools’ football-playing student-athletes.”
 
State high school associations and coaches associations that support USA Football’s Heads Up Football High School program for the good of their student-athletes:
 
Alabama High School Athletic Association
Minnesota Football Coaches Association
Alaska School Activities Association
Mississippi High School Activities Association
Arizona Interscholastic Association
Nebraska Coaches Association
Arkansas Football Coaches Association
New Mexico Activities Association
California Interscholastic Federation
New York State Public High School Athletic Assoc.
Delaware Interscholastic Athletics Association
Northern Virginia Football Coaches Association
Delaware Interscholastic Football Coaches Assoc.
Ohio High School Athletic Association
Hawaii High School Athletic Association
Oregon Athletic Coaches Association
Idaho High School Activities Association
Oregon School Activities Association
Indiana Football Coaches Association
Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Assoc.
Indiana High School Athletic Association
South Carolina Football Coaches Association
Iowa Football Coaches Association
Vermont Principals Association
Louisiana High School Athletic Association
Virginia High School League
Louisiana High School Coaches Association
Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association
Michigan High School Football Coaches Assoc.
Washington Interscholastic Activities Association
 
### OHSAA ###

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