Concussion Confusion? See Fantastic Video for Kids and Parents

Confused by concussions? 

View this video and clear your head.

This wonderful, simple six minute summary is produced by Dr. Mike Evans.  Dr. Mike Evans is founder of the Health Design Lab at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, an Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of Toronto, and a staff physician at St. Michael's.

Though grounded in hockey, this presentation works for everyone.

View:  Concussions 101, a Primer for Kids and Parents.

Make Sure the Helmet Fits: A Video Lesson from USA Football

Among the many ways we can improve youth football safety and prevent concussions, we absolutely must make sure every child’s youth football helmet fits properly.  This is essential to his or her safety and well worth your time to assure it fits properly.

Check out this outstanding six minute video provided by USA Football that reviews the procedure and provides skills for assuring a proper helmet fit.

NFL teams such as the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles offer many community-based, non-contact summer camps that prepare kids (and parents) to play non-contact flag or tackle football.  If you are interested in getting your child into the game, consider these programs in your local area.  

REVIEW VIDEO:  USA Football and Riddell - Football Helmet Fitting Video

For Football Skills, Life Skills and Fun,

Tom Finks

Pro Sports Experience, LLC

Official Management Company for Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles Youth Football Camps.

Predicting the Future for Youth Football Leagues

Injury Concerns Will Grow Youth Football Participation Levels

Yes, the spotlight on concussions and injuries associated with youth football will increase overall participation in youth football.  

Here’s why and how:

Philadelphia Eagles Youth Football Camps

Let’s consider a kid named Hank.  He’s an elite young athlete and 9 years old.  He plays hockey, baseball and basketball and would love to play tackle football.   

Hank’s parents reject tackle as an option.  They are just not comfortable with it.

As an elite athlete and huge Chicago Bears fans, Hank still needs a football fix.  So, Hank joins a non-contact flag football league in his local neighborhood.

Remember, Hank is an elite athlete that was prohibited from playing tackle football.  When he joins this non-contact flag football league, he immediately gives the league some credibility.  It’s like Herschel Walker Herschel Walker going to the USFL or Bobby Hull going to the WHA.  With Hank on board, many of his hockey, baseball and basketball teammates will consider flag football as a cool option, also as their “second” fall sport.  

When Hank’s teammates join, there is suddenly a critical mass of good youth athletes playing in this league.  A suddenly, the coaching quality has improved as athletically competent dad’s support their sons.

Now, just because Hank’s parents rejected football, the flag league got a lot better.  The league demonstrates good football skills and fun. 

Chicago Bears Youth Football Camps

Here’s the kicker:   The huge number of undecided/recreational athletes begin to hear the buzz.  A non-contact flag football league is cool because Hank and his athletic friends play.  It’s not for cowards, these are good tough kids.  And unlike tackle football, flag football has no issues hanging out there like extreme travel, expense or injury issues.  It’s everything soccer is, but a sport America truly loves to play and watch.  

SUMMARY:   Truly dedicated football players aspire to play in high school and college, so they will always choose tackle to make that dream happen.   However, the concerns related to tackle football will increase the number of high quality athletes (and coaching dads) to the non-contact leagues.  This will draw more recreational or “followers” to non-contact leagues because there are not nearly the concerns or impediments associated with choosing tackle football.  

The net result is significant overall growth in football participation as tackle numbers are sustained and non-contact football leagues experience a tremendous increase.  

Of course, managing Chicago Bears Youth Football Camps, Philadelphia Eagles Youth Football Camps, New York Giants Youth Football Camps and Green Bay Packers Youth Football Camps, we hope this is true.   Just watch.  We believe it will happen.

Sincerely,

Tom Finks

Pro Sports Experience, LLC

Official Management Company for Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles Youth Football Camps.



More quality young athletes choosing flag football will draw
more undecided players to non-contact programs.