safety first
Safety is the foundation of our program.
Our commitment to player health is the basis of everything we do. We prioritize smart football, expert certification, and elite standards to protect every athlete on the field.
We believe in smart football: teaching athletes the right techniques, using the best available equipment, and creating a culture where safety comes first.
While no equipment can eliminate all risk of injury, we are committed to continuously improving how the game is taught and played.
protocols
Coaching Training & Values
Our coaches have mandatory certifications from numerous organizations including: USA Football, CPR, HEADS UP Concussion Prevention, AYF Coach Certifications, and others, such as Abuse Prevention/SafeSport Training. They have completed full background checks. They are versed in hydration protocols, heat illness prevention, and injury identification, among others.
Our coaches understand age-appropriate contact and contact limits; they enforce proper equipment checks, believe in fundamentals-first, understand field safety, and have the development of athletes (on and off the field) as their primary goal. Winning is great, but safety and development is paramount.
Safety First
Confidence with Contact: Every practice will begin with drills designed to break down the proper mechanics of blocking and tackling so that proper technique becomes second nature to each player.
Alignment & Assignment: We will outline and drill simple keys for each position so that players
know where they need to be and what they need to do on each play.
The Right Roles: A key aspect of our preparation each week will be identifying what positions best suit each player
and put them in a position to be successful based on their personality, aptitude and athletic ability.
Tackle
Tackling has changed and we will be teaching the safest, most effect techniques. Today's football looks very different than it did 20–30 years ago. Players are coached to avoid helmet contact, tackle with proper body mechanics, and use controlled, fundamentally sound techniques rather than delivering highlight-reel hits.
These changes, combined with improved equipment, strict return-to-play protocols, coach education, and rules against dangerous contact, reflect a broad effort across football to make the game safer while preserving effective play.
Equipment: The Best
Advanced Helmets: We use the Riddell SpeedFlex ND6 Helmets, which have the latest generation of impact protection, and are the new standard for US football. This is one of the most trusted helmet platforms in football.
Guardian Caps are mandatory for all players during practice and games. Guardian caps result in a 20% reduction in impact severity during player-to-player contact, and are associated with a 54–62% reduction in NFL preseason practice concussions when combined with modern coaching and safety protocols.
