Please print Name: ________________ _______________ Student ID _____________________
Office use only:
Emergency/Physical: Yes � No � Academics: Yes � No �
Eligibility/Parent Permission/Athl Code: Yes � No � ASB Card: Yes � No �
Everett School District No. 2
FOOTBALL SAFETY GUIDELINES
High/Middle School
This school strives to protec t each student from possible injury while engaging in school activities. The guidelines
and/or practices identified below have been established for th is activity in order to protect the student and others
from injury and/or ill ness. Participants and their pa rents should recognize that conditioning, nutrition, proper
techniques, safety procedures, and well fitting equipment ar e impo rtant aspects of this training program. Each
participant is expected to follow the directions/standards of the coach. Travel to and from off-campus facilities shall be in accordance with the directio ns of the activity coach. Guidelines are as follows: 1. Make certai n that you wear all equipment that is issu ed by the coach. Advise the coach of any poorly fitted or defective equipment. 2. Advise the coach if you are ill or have any prolonged symptoms of illness. 3. Advise the coach if you h ave been injured. 4. Engage in warm -up activities prior to strenuous participation.
5. Be alert of any physical hazards in the locker room or in or around the participation area. Advise coach of any hazard. TACKLING, BLOCKING AND RUNNING THE BALL: Tackling and blocking techniques are basically the same. C ontact is to be made above the belt , but not initially with the helmet. The player should always be in a pos ition of balance, knees bent, back straight, body slightly bent forward, head up and the target area as near to the bod y as possible with the main contact being made with the
shoulder. When properly blocking or tackling an opponent, contact with your helmet will naturally result. Therefore, technique is most important in orde r to prevent or redu ce the likelihood of injury.
Blocking and tackling by no t keeping the helmet as close to the body as possible may result in a shoulder injury and separation or pinched nerve in the neck area. Injuries as a result of improper body alignment can put the spinal column in a vulnerable position for injury. The developm ent of strength in the neck muscles through isometric- type exercises will enable the participant to hold his/ her head up even after getting tired during a workout or
contest.
BASIC HITTING (CON TACT) POSITION AND FUNDAMENTAL TECHNIQUE:
Strained mu scle injuries can range from ankle injuries to serious knee injuries re quiring surgery. The rules have made blocking below the waist (outside a two-yard by four-yard area next to the football) illegal. The above information has been explained to me and I understand th e list of rules and procedures. I also understand the necessity of using the proper techni ques while participating in the football program.
(over)
Please print Name: ________________ _______________ Student ID _____________________
Office use only:
Emergency/Physical: Yes � No � Academics: Yes � No �
Eligibility/Parent Permission /Athl Code: Yes � No � ASB Card: Yes � No �
FOOTBALL SAFETY GUIDELINES -- Page 2
In tackling, the rules prohibit ini tial contact with the helm et or grabbing the facemask on the edge of th e helmet.
Initial helmet contact may result in a bruise; dislocation; broken bone; head injury; or internal injury such as
kidneys, sple en, bladder, etc. Grabbing the face mask or helm et edge may result in a neck injury that could result in
injuries ranging from a muscle stra in to a dislocation, nerv e injury, or spinal column damage which could cause
paralysis or death.
EQUIPMENT:
An athlete is required to wear all issued equipment. If equipment is dama ged or does not fit correctly, the athlete
must inform his coach immediately before use. Shoulder pads, helmets, hip pads, and pants (including th igh pads
and kneepads) mu st have proper fitting and use.
A shoulder pad that is too sm all will leave the shoulder poi nt vulnerable to bruises or separat ions. A shoulder pad
that is too tight in the neck area ma y result in a possible pinched nerve. A shoulder pad that is too large will leave
the neck area poorl y protected and will slide on the shoulde rs making them vulnerable to br uises or separations.
Helmets must fit snugly at the contact points: front, back, and top of head. The helmet must be safety "NOCSAE"
branded, the chin straps must be fastened, and the cheek pads must be of the proper thickness. A fit that is too
loose could result in headaches, a conc ussion, a face injury such as a broken nose or cheekbone, or a neck injury
that is possibly quite serious su ch as paralysis or even death.
The above inform ation has been explained to me and I understand the list of rules an d procedures. I also
understand the necessity of using the proper techni ques while participating in the football program.
I am aware th at tackle football is a high-risk sport and that practicing or comp eting in tackle football will be
dangerous activity involving many risks of injury , including but not lim ited to those risks outlined.
Because of the dangers of tackle football, I recognize th e importance of following coaches' instructions regarding
techniques, training and other team rules, et c., and to agree to obe y such instructions.
_________________________________ _________________ Date: __________________________
Athlete's Signature
_________________________________ _________________ Date: __________________________
Parent or Guardian's Signature
High/Middle School
Revised 7/26/02