Smarter Football

SMARTER FOOTBALL

Riddell’s Smarter Football initiative is your chance to commit to an improved playing field for all. To show your commitment and share what Smarter Football means to you, simply use #SmarterFootball on your social channels and tag @RiddellSports.

To learn more about the Smarter Football movement and how you could win brand new equipment for your team, simply click the "Learn More" button to the right.

WHAT IS A CONCUSSION?

Concussions are traumatic brain injuries that must be taken seriously. Concussions can occur in any sport or recreational activity. That is why all coaches, parents, and athletes need to learn concussion signs and symptoms and what to do if a concussion occurs. Below you will find information detailing concussion recognition, management and prevention.

For more information please visit this website: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Concussion in Sports

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT?

SIGNS OBSERVED BY COACHING STAFF

Appears dazed or stunned
Is confused about assignment or position
Forgets an instruction
Is unsure of game, score, or opponent
Moves clumsily
Answers questions slowly
Loses consciousness (even briefly)
Shows mood, behavior, or personality changes
Can’t recall events prior to hit or fall
Can’t recall events after hit or fall

SIGNS OBSERVED BY ATHLETE

Headache or “pressure” in head
Nausea or vomiting
Balance problems or dizziness
Double or blurry vision
Sensitivity to light
Sensitivity to noise
Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
Concentration or memory problems
Confusion
Just not “feeling right” or is “feeling down”

WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT?

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU THINK YOUR ATHLETE HAS A CONCUSSION?

If you suspect that an athlete has a concussion, remove the athlete from play and seek medical attention. Do not try to judge the severity of the injury yourself. Keep the athlete out of play the day of the injury and until a health care professional, experienced in evaluating for concussion, says s/he is symptom-free and it’s OK to return to play.
Rest is key to helping an athlete recover from a concussion. Exercising or activities that involve a lot of concentration, such as studying, working on the computer, and playing video games, may cause concussion symptoms to reappear or get worse. After a concussion, returning to sports and school is a gradual process that should be carefully managed and monitored by a health care professional.
Remember: Concussions affect people differently. While most athletes with a concussion recover quickly and fully, some will have symptoms that last for days, or even weeks. A more serious concussion can last for months or longer.

Reference: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports”, A Fact Sheet for Parents and Athletes. Available here.

PREVENTION AND PREPARATION

PROPER FIT IS ESSENTIAL FOR A PLAYER'S COMFORT & PROTECTION

It is important that you practice and play sensibly, and as always, teach or utilize proper form and head positioning when participating in football contact. A properly fitted helmet does not prevent the serious head or neck injuries a player might receive while participating in football.

DOWNLOAD RIDDELL FITTING GUIDES
Helmet Fitting Guides
Varsity Shoulder Pads

FITTING INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS