Speaking with host John Michael, Hoge discussed proper tackling techniques. The ESPN NFL analyst encourages players from youth leagues to the NFL to continue to play hard and within the rules, employing sound football fundamentals.

If you suspect an athlete has sustained a fracture and there is no trainer available, get to the athlete and look for the following signs and symptoms:

* Ask the athlete if he or she heard a “snap” or “pop” – is there any numbness or tingling?
* Look at the injury site for any type of deformity or immediate swelling. If the fracture is open – and in the extreme case the bone has pierced through the skin – try to cover with clean bandages or a towel and transport to the ER immediately.
* Feel the injury site for tenderness – is the athlete able to move or put pressure (weight) on the bone?

Once it is determined that the bone is fractured, be sure to splint the bone and apply comfortable compression and ice, if tolerated.

* Keep the limb in the position you found it.
* Use something firm, such as a board or tongue depressor depending on the limb, above and below the fracture site for support.
* Wrap with first aid tape (white tape).

Seek and transport the athlete to receive medical care for further evaluation and possible diagnostic testing. The youth player should avoid eating or drinking in case surgery is necessary.

Continue to monitor the athlete’s consciousness and try to remain calm in order to keep the injured one calm as well. Reassure the youngster that he or she is going to get taken care of properly and immediately.

If you suspect an athlete has suffered a sprain:

* Ask the athlete if he or she heard a “snap” or “pop”.
* Look and feel for tenderness, swelling, and/or bruising.
* Immediately apply compression and ice to the injured site, and if possible, elevate the limb above the heart to avoid increased swelling.
* Use an ace bandage to wrap and compress the site to reduce swelling.
* Instruct the athlete on how to either use crutches or wear a sling.
* If the athlete is not allergic to Tylenol, advise him to take some medicine to relieve the pain and be sure to inform the player’s parents if he is a minor.
* Have the athlete check in with an Athletic Trainer or coach the next day or refer to a family physician.
* If the pain is unbearable, transport the athlete to the ER for further evaluation and possible diagnostic tests.

Necessary items to be stored in a first aid kit on the sidelines should include wound care items that are easily visible and accessible to coaches and all other support staff. Hopefully first aid kits do not see much action throughout the season, but if a situation ever arises where it is needed, being prepared will really come in handy.

Ideally, a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) would be on-site as well and can provide the following items.

First aid kit materials to have on the sidelines:

*Antibiotic ointment packs
*Antiseptic cleansing wipes (prefer no sting)
*Hydrocortisone pack
*Hand sanitizer packs
*Assortment of bandages (if available – knuckle, finger, round, square, big)
*Alcohol pads
*3″x 3″ gauze pads
*4″x 4″ gauze pads
*Sterile gauze pads (variety of sizes)
*Tongue depressor
*Cotton-tip applicator
*Peroxide (best put in a squeeze bottle, can be used to take blood off a uniform)
*Biohazard bag
*Latex-free gloves
*2″ stretch tape (1-2 rolls)
*1.5″ white tape (1-2 rolls)

If there is no athletic trainer available, include the following additional items:

*Tweezers
*Scissors
*CPR one-way valve mask shield
*Triangular sling
*Medicine – Tylenol or Advil (need parental consent if administering to minor) and Benadryl

The star running back breaks into the open field at full speed and “pop” – he grabs the back of his leg falling to the ground in pain. While this scenario is repeated in football, and many other sports, shouldn’t we reduce the chance of it happening? Stretching is a key weapon in an athlete’s ability to reduce the chance of injuring or “pulling” something.

Stretching and flexibility are important aspects in preventing injuries, improving performance and decreasing muscular soreness. Stretching can be done in several ways and should be included before and after every workout. Stretching the muscles you work and working the muscles you stretch is an important analogy repeated in many of today’s publications.

Two important types of stretches that should be included in a football conditioning/practice program are dynamic and static stretching. Following a stretching program is important and may reduce a youth athlete’s chance of missing the big game due to a muscular injury.

Dynamic stretching is often overlooked while developing a flexibility program. Dynamic stretching involves actively moving a body part, in a controlled manner, to the limit of the athlete’s range of motion. An example is walking 20 yards while gently kicking your leg into the air. These type of stretches are important in increasing flexibility but also work as a good warm-up.

Static stretches are what most of us think of as stretching. An example of a passive static stretch is to pair up players and have each one lift his partner’s leg into the air to stretch the hamstrings. These types of stretches should be performed after the dynamic activities. Holding these stretches for an extended amount of time allows the muscle to relax and be pushed further.

Football is a game that requires our bodies to be pushed to the extreme. Muscles, tendons and joints are also pushed to the limit on many occasions during a football season. Utilizing dynamic and static stretches as part of a pre- and post-game routine will allow joints and muscles to become increasingly flexible while reducing the chance of injury and maximizing performance.

Heading into the 12th season of his career, St. Louis Rams middle linebacker Chris Draft has faced many formidable opponents on the field. But when he’s not lining up against some of the NFL’s best offensive playmakers, Draft battles another opponent off the field every day of his life.

Draft suffers from asthma, an inflammatory disease that affects the lungs, and has had to manage his health ever since his playing days at Stanford. Although asthma can usually be controlled once diagnosed, it may be more common than one might think. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 22.9 million people living in the United States have asthma – with 6.7 million sufferers under the age of 18.

Dr. David Callahan, Captain in the U.S. Public Health Service, said when it comes to youth athletes, parents and coaches need to educate themselves on how to handle the situation when an asthma attack strikes.

“If I had to pick two things for a coach to know, know which of your kids have asthma, and know what to do in an asthma emergency,” Dr. Callahan said. “Make sure that the kids with asthma have an asthma action plan from their physician.

“Parents of youth athletes should be working with their family physician to make sure that their asthma is well controlled and that they have both the appropriate controller medication and the appropriate rescue medication.”

Asthma causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing. Asthma is not curable, but attacks should only occur when a “trigger” bothers the lungs.

“Exercise itself can do it because of the increased rate of breathing, cold weather, cold air can be a trigger,” Dr. Callahan said. “Pollen also is a very common one and is at its peaks in the spring for trees and in the fall for ragweed. Something else to look for is air pollution.”

Because this disease affects nearly 9 percent of all children, the Minnesota Department of Health Asthma Program (MDH) and the Utah Department of Health Asthma Program (UDOH) collaborated together to educate others on the disease through “Winning with Asthma.” A private-public partnership created by the National Lt. Governor’s Association and funded by the CDC, the “Winning with Asthma” campaign features a Coach’s Asthma Clipboard Program, which Draft has signed on with as the National Spokesman.

As part of his Asthma TeamTM, Draft will also invite one family of four affected by asthma to each of the Rams away games this season. This issue has always been something Draft said is near and dear to him, and he hopes his example will encourage others to not let asthma interfere with following their dreams.

“It is controllable,” Draft said. “With the right attention and understanding of what asthma is, you can play and enjoy playing football. You can’t ignore it – it’s like football in a way.

“If a player is struggling on the field, you don’t ignore your stumbling block. You face it. You study it. You take it on. The “Winning with Asthma” program helps people get to that point.”

The Coach’s Asthma Clipboard Program is designed to help coaches learn about asthma, how it affects an athlete’s ability to compete and how coaches can help their athletes manage their symptoms while performing at their very best.

Dr. Callahan recommends these steps to follow when an asthma attack occurs:

“First of all, the athlete should tell the coach immediately, stop the activity that he’s doing, and immediately be given a rescue medication – usually Albuterol – with an inhaler or a nebulizer.”

And in the event that the asthma attack appears to be severe, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

“If it’s a severe attack – if the athlete’s lips or nails are blue, or has difficulty talking, walking or drinking liquids – that’s an indication to call 9-1-1 right away,” Dr. Callahan said. “The other very good reason to call 9-1-1 is if the coach or child is simply unsure what to do. It’s never wrong to call, and minutes do count when things get severe.”

Dr. Callahan said one precaution those with asthma should take this fall involves a new vaccine. The 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine is in production and early testing now and should be available in early October.

“We recommend that for seasonal flu, all children with asthma get a flu shot, and this year, all persons with asthma should get a seasonal flu shot and also the H1N1 flu vaccine,” he said. “This is a new virus meaning it has not circulated before in the population, so because of that, there is very little immunity to it.”

He also encourages youth football coaches to look at the “Winning with Asthma” program online to learn more about how to help improve the experience for youth athletes.

“Our expectation for asthma is that youth athletes should be able to take part in activities without feeling restricted,” Dr. Callahan said. “They should be as much a member – and as good a member – of the team as children without asthma.”

Coaches and commissioners do much to prepare for the start of the football season when it comes to ensuring the safety of players on and off the field. First aid kits are one of the most convenient and best ways to be ready at all times and in a case of emergency. Ted Crites of the American Red Cross gives USA Football followers some tips on creating a safety plan.

First, Crites recommends basic first aid training for all coaches.

“Training coaches in first aid prepares them with knowledge and skills to prevent injuries and illnesses in the first place, recognize the signs and symptoms early if they do occur and then respond to prevent the situations from becoming worse,” he said. “If coaches are required to take some sort of first aid training, they can react to most situations.”

Brett Hunter of the Football and Cheerleading Club of Johnson County (Kan.) formed a positive relationship with a local medical center for coaches to get proper first aid training.

“We have a relationship with Shawnee Mission Medical Center that provides first aid handbooks to every team in our league (more than 130 teams),” Hunter said. “They then have a 30 minute portion in our coaches’ orientation clinic that they go through the handbook and take questions. They also attend our coach’s education clinics and talk more in depth about it.”

Next, Crites recommends every first aid kid to be supplied for many situations.

“Cuts, scrapes, bumps and bruises as well as muscle, bone and joint injuries seem to be common situations in football,” Crites said. “First aid kit supplies could include a variety of sterile bandages, sterile solution for minor wound irrigation like saline, or even clean water, antibiotic ointment or antiseptic, ice packs or cold packs and medical tape or conforming bandage tape.”

In Hunter’s league, coaches must have an approved first aid kid on-hand at all times.

“Each coach or team is required to have an American Medical Association approved first aid kit on hand at every practice,” he said.

With practices beginning in the hottest summer months, heat-related illnesses are also a major concern for coaches.

“Perhaps the most important emphasis for heat-related situations should be on prevention,” Crites said. “Part of being prepared for heat-related illness is to know how to recognize early the signals of exertion and heat illness and how to provide first aid care. Again, this is best accomplished through training of coaches in first aid and injury prevention.”

One precaution the Football and Cheerleading Club of Johnson County takes is not allowing teams in the league to practice if the temperature is above 95 degrees.

“If the temperature is 95 degrees or above or the heat index is 105 degrees or above, practice may not be held,” Hunter explained. “We have a weather line that is updated at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. every day.”

Being prepared for any possible situation, such as a heat-related illness, is one of the most important aspects football coaches must keep in mind when conducting practices and leading during games. Getting coaches the proper training they need and ensuring that first aid kids are properly assembled are the best ways to keep youth football players safe on the football field.

WHAT COACHES SHOULD KNOW

*A coach should suspect a head, neck or back injury if the player is unconscious after being tackled or hit or the helmet has been cracked or broken.

*If a head neck, or back injury is suspected, activate the Emergency Action Plan and follow the emergency action steps, Check-Call-Care.

*Except in rare instances, the helmet and shoulder pads of an injured athlete should not be removed. An injured athlete can most often be cared for with the helmet and shoulder pads left on.

*It is recommended that only the facemask be removed. A tool to remove the facemask should be in the first aid kit.

*Examinations and transportation by medical personnel can take place with the helmet and shoulder pads left in place.

*The only instance in which an athlete’s helmet and shoulder pads should be removed is when a medical authority believes that it is necessary for the care of the athlete, or if the equipment interferes with the rescuers’ ability to provide required CPR.

FOR INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK AND BACK

Minimize movement of the player’s head, neck and back by putting your hands on both sides of the player’s head. Maintain an open airway using the jaw-thrust maneuver. If possible, have the player remain in the position that you found him or her until EMS personnel arrive and take over.

A football player who sustains a suspected spinal injury should have his helmet left on until both the helmet and shoulder pads can be carefully removed together in a hospital emergency room under controlled stabilized conditions by a professional medical staff. Removing an injured athlete’s helmet and/or shoulder pads carries the inherent risk of further injury.

The most devastating injuries in all of sports are to the head, neck or back. If the athlete is cared for in the proper manner, one may prevent further injury . It is critical that all individuals involved in sports be trained to know what to do should this type of injury occur.

If you suspect a player has a head, neck or back injury, tell him not to nod or shake his head but to answer questions by saying “yes” or “no.” The goal is to minimize movement. Activate the Emergency Action Plan, and follow the emergency action steps, Check- Call-Care. Check the scene for safety and check the athlete. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number when needed. Care for the player until EMS personnel arrive.

Medical examinations and ambulance transport can take place with the helmet and shoulder pads left in place. Having the helmet on may be an advantage in immobilizing and transporting the injured athlete because it may keep the athlete in an appropriate anatomical position.

Coaches should be able to remove the facemask of an injured athlete quickly and easily. While performing this task, the head, neck and back must be supported so that no movement of the neck will occur. The removal of the facemask can be accomplished using several different tools. A coach should check with the team physician, certified athletic trainer, or emergency medical technician for advice on the best tool to be used in removing the facemask. In most cases, removing the facemask will give a responder access to the face and mouth of the injured athlete if CPR or rescue breathing becomes necessary.

If removal of the helmet is necessary, loosen straps and pull directly backward. Obtain available assistance to minimize neck movement and to maintain the neck in a neutral position (level with the height of the shoulders). After the helmet is removed, keep the neck in the neutral position with manual support or by placing towels or clothing under the head. If the shoulder pads must be manipulated to provide chest compression do so carefully and with the least amount of movement. Maintain maximum neck control and move only as much as is required to provide effective chest compression.

Rosemont, Ill. – June 20, 2011 – Riddell® today unveiled a new shoulder pad technology that could significantly improve the way in which spine and head injuries can be treated on the football field. The Riddell RipKord™ is being featured at the National Athletic Trainer’s Association (NATA) 62nd Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposia this week in New Orleans. RipKord™ will be offered in Riddell CPX (Custom Power Extreme) shoulder pads this season and will soon be available to players at all levels of football.
“Riddell has a history of maintaining the highest levels of protection in its football equipment,” said Dan Arment, Riddell President. “RipKord’s emergency management technology allows athletic trainers and medical professionals to treat severe injuries during a critical window of time by allowing immediate access to the chest and airways.”
Removal of the shoulder pads and helmet continues to be challenging when treating injuries. Doctors and athletic trainers are often hindered in their efforts to access the injury for x-rays and MRIs or when placing a cervical collar on an injured player.
When dealing with apparent spinal injuries, the removal of shoulder pads with RipKord™ can be accomplished by no more than two trained professionals without removing the player from a spinal board. Current procedures require six to 10 individuals to lift a player off a spinal board even before they can remove equipment for treatment or evaluation procedures. By pulling a single cord, shoulder pads outfitted with RipKord™ can be quickly and easily removed by two trained professionals without elevating a player.
“The RipKord system is designed to provide a number of distinct advantages to athletic trainers and medical professionals when treating players on the field who have encountered head and spinal injuries,” said Mike Kordecki, former Physical Therapist and Certified Athletic Trainer for the Chicago Bears and inventor of RipKord™. “This new shoulder pad removal system allows improved access to an athlete’s chest and airway in the event of a suspected head or neck injury. We believe that shoulder pads manufactured with RipKord™ can significantly improve the ability to evaluate and treat severe injuries during the critical window of time.”
For more information on Riddell RipKord™ visit www.riddell.com/innovation/ripkord.

ABOUT RIDDELL
Founded in 1929, Riddell is a premier designer and developer of protective sports equipment and a recognized leader in helmet technology and innovation. One of Easton-Bell Sports, Inc.’s most well-known brands and the Official Helmet of the NFL®, Riddell is the leading manufacturer of football helmets, shoulder pads and reconditioning services (cleaning, repairing, repainting and recertifying existing equipment).

ABOUT EASTON-BELL SPORTS, INC.
Easton-Bell Sports, Inc. is a leading designer, developer and marketer of branded sports equipment, protective products and related accessories. The company markets and licenses products under such well-known brands as Easton, Bell, Giro, Riddell, and Blackburn. Easton-Bell Sports’ products incorporate leading technology and designs and are used by professional athletes and enthusiasts alike. Headquartered in Van Nuys, Calif., the company has 30 facilities worldwide.

ABOUT MICHAEL KORDECKI, D.P.T., S.C.S., A.T.C.
Michael Kordecki served as Physical Therapist and Athletic Trainer for the Chicago Bears for nine seasons. Today, he works with dozens of younger players from the high school and collegiate ranks, helping shape their futures through thoughtful and progressive rehabilitation techniques. Through his clinic, Praxis Physical Therapy and Human Performance, hundreds of patients have come to depend on his experienced analysis, straightforward counsel, and motivational guidance to successfully complete their courses of therapy or improve skills through his customized human performance programs. He holds a Doctorate of Physical Therapy, from Finch University, The Chicago Medical School and is Board Certified as a Clinical Sports Medicine Specialist by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). He is also a Certified Athletic Trainer and member of APTA and NATA (National Athletic Trainers Association).

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Contact:
Christie Burgner Shein
MSL Group
(312) 861-5237
pr@riddellsports.com

CHICAGO – August 1, 2011 – Riddell and the Chicago Bears today announced that the Bears will be the first organization in the National Football League (NFL®) to offer its players Riddell’s new RipKord shoulder pad technology as part of the Bears’ standard equipment package during the 2011 season.
Riddell’s RipKord™ Shoulder Pad, introduced in June, 2011 at the National Athletic Trainer’s Association’s (NATA) 62nd Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposia, is an emergency management technology that is incorporated into the Riddell CPX (Custom Power Extreme) shoulder pads. The new shoulder pad removal system provides more efficient and immediate access to an athlete’s chest and airway in the event of a suspected head, spine or chest injury. The RipKord Shoulder Pad allows athletic trainers and medical professionals to treat severe injuries during the crucial window of time.
“The removal of the shoulder pads and helmet continues to be a critical aspect of treating severe head, neck and chest injuries,” said Tim Bream, Head Athletic Trainer for the Chicago Bears. “Riddell’s RipKord Shoulder pads will not only serve our players better, but also are a key development which will be used by youth athletes across the country giving medical personnel the ability for improved care.”
RipKord was invented by Mike Kordecki, a Physical Therapist and Certified Athletic Trainer who worked Chicago Bears training camps in the 1980s and 90s, after seeing that it took six to 10 individuals to lift a player off a spinal board before they could remove equipment for treatment or evaluation procedures. The removal of shoulder pads with RipKord can now be accomplished by two trained professionals without removing the player from a spinal board. By pulling a single cord, shoulder pads outfitted with RipKord can be quickly and easily removed by two trained professionals without elevating a player.

“Riddell has a history of maintaining the highest levels of protection in its football equipment,” said Dan Arment, President of Riddell Sports. “We were thrilled with the Bears interest in this new technology from its earliest stages through refinement and development of the product. The Bears are leading by example and our goal is that other NFL teams will follow suit.”
For more information on Riddell RipKord visit www.riddell.com/innovation/ripkord.

ABOUT RIDDELL
Founded in 1929, Riddell is a premier designer and developer of protective sports equipment and a recognized leader in helmet technology and innovation. One of Easton-Bell Sports, Inc.’s most well-known brands and the Official Helmet of the NFL®, Riddell is the leading manufacturer of football helmets, shoulder pads and reconditioning services (cleaning, repairing, repainting and recertifying existing equipment).

ABOUT EASTON-BELL SPORTS, INC.
Easton-Bell Sports, Inc. is a leading designer, developer and marketer of branded sports equipment, protective products and related accessories. The company markets and licenses products under such well-known brands as Easton, Bell, Giro, Riddell, and Blackburn. Easton-Bell Sports’ products incorporate leading technology and designs and are used by professional athletes and enthusiasts alike. Headquartered in Van Nuys, Calif., the company has 30 facilities worldwide.

ABOUT CHICAGO BEARS
One of the founding franchises of the National Football League, the Chicago Bears were originally established in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys by legendary player, coach and owner, George Halas. The team moved to Chicago in 1921 and has gone on to win the most games in league history along with nine championships. The Bears 27 Hall of Famers is the most of any team in the NFL. In the community, the Bears strive to be leaders throughout Chicago and its suburbs by supporting initiatives focused on Education, Health and Fitness, Youth Football, and Volunteerism and Civic Involvement.

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Contact:
Christie Burgner Shein
MSLGROUP
(312) 861-5237
christie.shein@mslgroup.com

Scott Hagel
Sr. Dir. Corporate Communications
Chicago Bears
(847) 739-5220
Scott.Hagel@bears.nfl.net

As part of a joint commitment to player safety, a group of sports entities and equipment manufacturers has entered into an unprecedented partnership to create a youth football safety and helmet replacement program for youth in underserved communities. The initiative will remove helmets that are 10 years old or older and replace them with new helmets at no cost to the beneficiary leagues and will provide coaches with the latest educational information to help keep their young athletes safer and healthier.

In its first year, the program is being piloted in four markets: the California Bay Area, Gulf Coast region, Northern Ohio, and the tri-state region around New York City. The NFL, NFLPA, NCAA and NOCSAE have committed a combined total of approximately $1 million to the program in its first year. The pilot program is designed to provide valuable information on the state of youth football helmets, including the number of helmets 10 years old or older in use. As of 2012, NAERA members will no longer recondition or recertify any helmet that is 10 years of age or older. NOCSAE will collect the helmets when removed and use them for ongoing research programs.

USA Football, the sport’s national governing body and the Official Youth Football Development Partner of the NFL and NFLPA, will lead the execution of the program. Other partners in the initiative are the NFL, NFL Players Association, CDC, NAERA, NCAA, NOCSAE and the SGMA. Equipment manufacturers Rawlings, Riddell, Schutt, and Xenith are providing discounted helmets. To learn more or apply for helmets, visit www.usafootball.com/playersafety

The effort, initiated by CPSC Chairman INEZ TENENBAUM, is expected to educate thousands of youth football coaches on vital health and safety issues and provide nearly 13,000 new helmets to youth football players in low-income communities in 2012. Helmets will be distributed beginning in July.

“We are pleased to be part of this initiative, which will give children in underserved communities access to new helmets, and to reach coaches and parents with educational information to help protect young athletes from head injuries,” said NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. “This program is part of our focus on player safety at all levels of the game. We are proud to join with these well-respected organizations to make the Helmet Replacement Program a reality.”

“The time has come to accelerate the culture change needed to improve the health and safety of youth football players,” said CPSC Chairman Tenenbaum. “Even with our push for improved safety equipment, it is vital that parents, coaches and players understand that there is no such thing as a concussion-proof helmet. The best answer is safer and smarter play, which is why this game-changing program is aimed at reducing hits to the head and trauma to the brain. I want to thank everyone involved in this initiative for joining together in a common commitment to youth player safety.”

Helmets do not prevent concussions. Therefore, the program includes a strong educational campaign that features important safety information from the CDC, the CPSC and USA Football, including materials on concussion awareness, proper helmet fitting, and fundamentally sound football instruction with USA Football’s Tackle Progression Model and Levels of Contact module. In addition, leagues that receive helmets through this program will be required to have their coaches complete USA Football’s Level 1 coaching course. Elements of the education component are as follows:

• “Start with Safety”: Concussion awareness and response information, featuring links to CDC content and resources
• “Perfect Fitting”: Helmet fitting information, including links to manufacturer-specific fitting resources
• “Tackle Safety”: USA Football’s Tackle Progression Model and Levels of Contact information and videos
• “Helmet Condition”: Reconditioning and replacement information