Heads Up with Sanford's National Institute for Athletic Health and Performance

One of the prime motivators behind Heads Up Football is increasing knowledge about the long term effects of concussions. The NFL has invested in research on player injuries, and its partnership with USA Football has led to additional investment and planning to promote a "better, safer game" for youth leagues. Both organizations are publishing their concussion studies, and we asked Thayne Munce, PhD, Associate Director of Sanford's National Institute for Athletic Health and Performance to weigh in on USA Football's recently published results. These are Dr. Munce's thoughts on the issue:

Many aspects of football that make it such a popular sport also put its players at an inherent risk for injury. Recently, there has been a lot of attention and concern about the risk and consequences of concussion and mild traumatic brain injury in football. While mainstream media has largely focused on the NFL and its high-profile players, the discussion on main street USA has turned to concerns about youth football.

Some of the questions being asked are:

How dangerous is football for kids?
How old should kids be before playing football?
Should kids be playing football at all?

While its natural for people to panic in response to scary headlines and nobody should ever fault parents for wanting to protect their children, it’s important for people’s decisions, ultimately, to be guided by scientific evidence. Unfortunately, we have many more questions than answers at this point, as the science on this topic is still in the very early stages.

Football’s national governing body, USA Football, recently released preliminary findings from a study it commissioned on youth football health and safety. The results are from Year one of a two year study examining injuries in youth football players (6-14 years old). Approximately 2,000 players from youth leagues in six states are being monitored by the Datalys Center for Sports Injury Research and Prevention. After the first year of data collection, which comprised nearly 60,000 sessions (practices & games), it was found that 3.6% of the players sustained one or more concussions. Overall, 9.7% of the players experienced an injury that restricted their participation to some extent. Injuries were more likely to be sustained in games than practices. Fortunately, no catastrophic head, neck or heat-related injuries occurred during the season.

Around 70% of all football players in the US are younger than high school age, and surprisingly, there is very little information about concussion rates and risk among this population. The USA Football study is the largest of its kind among youth football players, making its findings very important. Furthermore, Datalys, the group commissioned to perform this study, also oversees the NCAA injury surveillance program, giving further credibility to this research.

While the preliminary findings of this study are limited, there are still some important observations that can be made.

First, the concussion rate of 3.6% is consistent with another recently published study of nearly 500 youth football players that reported a concussion rate of 4.3%. On a per player basis, these concussion rates for youth are relatively low compared to previous reports among high school players that have been as high as 20%. However, more recent findings have placed the percentage of high school football players who suffer at least one concussion during a season at 5.6%, which is much closer to the rate reported for youth.

Considering that youth football seasons are typically shorter and have fewer sessions (both games and practices) than high school football, the youth concussion rate may actually be higher than the high school rate on a per session basis, depending on what study is used. We’ll learn more next year when the study is complete. Finally, it’s important to note that many concussions, particularly among boys, go unreported. Without knowing the exact methods by which concussions were reported/diagnosed in the USA Football study, it’s likely that the actual number of concussions sustained in this group was actually higher than 3.6%.

USA Football estimates that approximately 2.8 million youth (under high school age) play tackle football. If the 3.6% concussion rate is extrapolated across the entire youth football landscape, that works out to be just over 100,000 concussions per year. Yet again, the actual number is probably higher than that due to underreporting and players who sustain more than one concussion during a season. Clearly, 100,000 or more concussions a year in youth football is a big number, and worthy of the attention this injury is receiving in the scientific and medical communities. Furthermore, it’s understandable why players and their parents are concerned about this serious health and safety issue. In order to keep football as safe as possible, coaches, league administrators and medical personnel need to have a better understanding of the risk of concussion in football so that it can be appropriately managed. This USA Football study, when completed, will be an important piece of that puzzle.

At Sanford Health, we have been working to advance health and safety in youth football in a variety of ways. In 2011, Sanford played a key role in championing concussion legislation that was passed in SD, ND and MN. We have worked with SD Junior Football for many years by providing the league and its coaches with educational information in wellness sessions and printed literature. More recently, we have engaged SD Junior Football in a series of studies investigating neurological function and head impact exposure in youth football players. These studies, being performed right here in Sioux Falls, are the first of their kind among youth football players in the entire nation! Some of this work has already been presented at national sports medicine meetings, and we hope to publish our complete findings later this year. Sanford Research has generously supported these important studies, and we look forward to making meaningful contributions in the future that will help improve the health and safety of youth football players, both locally and throughout the nation.

Finally, as a heads up, we are preparing for an exciting new concussion awareness campaign with a partner that people in the upper Midwest are sure to recognize. I can’t reveal any details at this time, but I can assure you that we’ll have some big shoulders to help us carry the message.

If you have any questions about youth football health and safety research, feel free to contact me at:
Thayne Munce
National Institute for Athletic Health & Performance
Sanford Health
thayne.munce@sanfordhealth.org ​(605) 328-4756

We are fortunate to be in a community where this kind of research is valued and ongoing. As SDJRFB progresses into HUF, we believe that young athletes in Sioux Falls will be on the leading edge of these important improvements to change the football culture to emphasize safety. There are big changes coming for our athletes, and we are excited to be part of that change. Next up in our blog series, we will be talking with Kevin Kaesviharn about his NFL career and his thoughts on HUF for SD athletes. Don't miss it!

Heads Up with NFL Ambassador Brian Hansen

Brian Hansen, SD State Director for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, has been named as South Dakota's NFL Ambassador for Heads Up Football (HUF). Hansen played college football at the University of Sioux Falls and was drafted in the ninth round of the 1984 NFL Draft.  He played from 1984 to 1999 for the New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, and the Washington Redskins. He was selected to the 1984 Pro Bowl.

Brian is a perfect person for this role!  He brings a strong football background and community leadership to the program. Brian has always been proactive through FCA promoting the proper fundamentals of football. I asked him a few questions to help us understand his new role as the NFL Ambassador for HUF:

Brian Hansen

Will you explain what the HUF Ambassadors do as part of the HUF program?

The NFL Ambassadors have been selected as representatives of the NFL and USA Football's effort to bring awareness and education to Americas favorite sport. The former NFL players selected will work with local media, youth coaches, and parents in their area to speak on issues related to safety, tackling techniques, concussion awareness and encouraging parents to get actively involved.

What does it mean for SDJRFB to be a HUF league?

It means that there are now certain guidelines and expectations that primarily focus on educating and certifying coaches. Coaches will be required to go through the HUF training program that will equip them to be able to teach proper technique and ultimately enhance the level of safety for their players. They will also be able to recognize and manage concussions after going through the certification process. Master trainers will also be part of the program. They will work with coaches on an ongoing basis throughout the season to create accountability and ensure HUF policies are being utilized.

Riggs Premier Football is offering the SDJRFB camp, a special tackling clinic, and a non-contact camp for area kids to learn HUF techniques before the season starts. Are there other events planned for the area as part of this initiative? I will also be working with the Watertown Youth program but do not have anything scheduled there at this point.

What are your thoughts on being the NFL Ambassador for our region? 

It’s exciting for me to see the NFL and USA football take the lead on this and to be a part of a local and nationwide effort to enhance the game and change the culture of youth football. I'm also glad to see that education and training are going to be the new norm. The game that I played and loved will continue at a higher level providing opportunities for young boys to play the game that helped mold and shape me and taught me valuable lessons about myself, life and dealing with the challenges that ultimately make us better.

We are very fortunate to have Brian Hansen working closely with this effort in the Sioux Falls area. His involvement with FCA gives him a very clear understanding of the advantages and challenges faced by youth football programs in our area. He knows the athletes, the families, and the coaches involved in this effort, and he is well liked and respected as a leader for youth sports. Best of luck to him as he embarks on this venture for the NFL and USA Football! We look forward to his involvement during the 2013 season!

Next up in our blog series...Dr. Thayne Munce from the National Institute for Athletic Health and Performance will share his thoughts about USA Football's concussion studies and Sanford's research on concussions in youth football right here in Sioux Falls.

Heads Up with USA Football

USA Football and the NFL have worked cooperatively to develop and promote the Heads Up Football program to youth leagues around the nation in an effort to change the culture of the sport to be more focused on player safety. Check out this video to get a sense for how the organizations work together to bring HUF to communities:

Coach Riggs asked Joe Frollo, Digital Media and Publications Manager for USA Football to explain the background of HUF and explain the benefits of bringing the program to players and parents in South Dakota. This is his response:

Heads Up Football is a comprehensive approach to a better, safer game. Adopted by more than 1,800 youth football organizations across the nation already for 2013 – including SD Junior Football and Riggs Premier Football– Heads Up Football provides a safer environment for young football players to learn the basic fundamentals of the game.

By learning correct tackling techniques at an early age, athletes build muscle memory and take these skills with them as they progress through the sport. By involving parents in the learning process, Heads Up Football encourages everyone to know the standards, live up to them and engage to provide a great football experience for our youth players. Parents who know their coaches are certified to teach the game can feel confident that their organization is doing it the right way.

Five reasons players benefit from Heads Up Football:
· Coaches who properly teach football’s fundamentals make you a better player;
· Effective, organized practices keep you moving and having fun with your teammates;
· Coaches go step by step to make sure you learn a skill in practice before you do it in a game;
· Coaches aren’t asking you to do something your body isn’t ready to do;
· Good coaches and prepared players are keys to success on game days.

Five reasons parents should feel more comfortable because of Heads Up Football:
· Peace of mind knowing that the coaches are trained to teach football’s fundamentals in the safest possible way;
· Knowledge that coaches have access to an online drills library, film room and practice planner to facilitate teaching and manage practice time wisely;
· Confidence that coaches are teaching age-based instruction that help players reach their potential with drills appropriate to the players’ cognitive and physical skills;
· Assurance that coaches have a better understanding for concussion, heat emergency preparedness and equipment fitting;
· Improved communication between parents and coaches through a positive team environment.

--Joe Frollo

We are very pleased that SD Junior Football made the commitment to becoming a HUF league in the interest of training and safety for area athletes. Riggs Premier Football will be teaching HUF techniques at SD Junior Football Camp, a Non-contact camp, and a Tackling Clinic in July. Athletes who participate in any of these events will be ahead of the game for the 2013 season since they will already be trained in the HUF techniques for tackling and contact. Our staff will also be working closely with SD Junior Football this summer and fall to assist parents and coaches in making this transition. We stand solidly behind the principle that education and proper fundamentals will improve the safety of the sport without damaging the nature of competition.

Contact us with questions about HUF and the camp/clinic offerings in July. And stay tuned for Coach Riggs' interview with South Dakota's NFL Ambassador for HUF, Brian Hansen.

Heads Up with SD Junior Football

Youth leagues have the choice whether or not to get involved with Heads Up Football (HUF) and make the transition to teaching specific fundamentals and certifying their coaches. This year, around 900 youth leagues in the US made the decision to become HUF leagues including SD Junior Football and a youth league in Watertown. Given the practical concerns of certifying all the coaches, and the number of kids involved with SD Junior Football, the transition presented some challenges for SD Junior Football. Coach Riggs asked Ken Sproles, President of the SD Junior Football Board to share his thoughts on why the league decided to make the change and what it will mean for parents and athletes.

What factors went into SDJRFB's decision to become a HUF league?

I think the decision started with the question… What’s best for the kids? It was pretty much a no brainer. We felt that if we can help protect the players and make the game safer, then why wouldn’t we join the HUF program? The HUF program also provides league-wide coaching education and teaching resources that help to ensure a positive youth football experience for everyone involved.

What does this change mean for SD Junior Football? 

The change means that we will be investing more in our coaches than ever before. This year, Head Coaches and 1st Assistant Coaches will be required to become Level 1 certified coaches through USA Football and attend Heads Up Training Seminars. We want our coaches to be the best they can be so that players can have the best experience possible.

Coach Riggs teaching HUF

Explain a bit about who is involved in the community in the transition to a HUF league.
As the Coaching committee chair on the Board of Directors, Eric Garrow has been appointed to the task of implementing the HUF program in SDJRFB. Eric is selecting Player Safety Coaches (PSC) that will help mentor our coaches in the HUF tackling techniques. These PSCs will oversee the coaches that are assigned to them by both fielding their questions and encouraging them in their practices.

How are you getting the word out about HUF?

If we have learned anything about Coach Riggs, it’s that he is a marketing machine. Every time we turn around, he is promoting SDJRFB and the HUF Program. Coach Riggs has been a big part of the transition and in getting the word out. We can’t say enough about how much he is helping our League with this transition. Plus, by including the HUF tackling technique into his Summer Camp, he will be training kids before we even start the season. Those players that attend the camp will be walking into their first practice with the knowledge of how to tackle properly. That’s priceless.

Coach Siegfried working tackling drills

What can parents do to support the HUF initiative for SDJRFB?

First and foremost, we can use their encouragement. This is a big undertaking for our volunteer board to manage and for our coaches to implement. This program means that we will be training 260 coaches a new tackling technique. That alone will need encouragement. Secondly, we would like for parents to get involved. During Kickoff Weekend, we will be holding seminars for parents to learn about HUF and the proper way to tackle.

We are hoping for a great turnout at the SD Junior Football Camp, Tackling Clinic, and Non-contact camp so that athletes can get ahead of the game with HUF tackling technique. Stay tuned for Coach Riggs' discussion with a representative from USA Football, the organization behind HUF.

Heads Up at Riggs Premier Football

Have you heard about Heads Up Football (HUF) and the "better, safer game" for youth football programs? The NFL has been promoting the program since last fall, youth leagues around the nation are adopting HUF techniques, and Coach Riggs has written several blog posts about it, most recently 'Heads Up: Coaching for Change". The culture of football is changing to become more proactive with injury prevention, and HUF seeks to introduce that philosophy to every level of the game, starting with our youngest athletes.

Changing the culture of football requires change at every level and in every part of the country.  

Teaching Heads Up tackling

Athletes in the Sioux Falls area are fortunate to be on the forefront of that culture change, and we want parents, athletes and coaches to understand what this development in the sport means for them. Many people and organizations have been involved in bringing HUF to SD athletes. Coach Riggs has asked each of those involved in the HUF transition to explain their part in bringing the program to South Dakota and to help parents and athletes understand how the changes affect them. Coach Riggs will share his interviews with representatives from SD Junior Football and USA Football, NFL Ambassador Brian Hansen, and Dr. Thayne Munce from Sanford Orthopedics/National Institute for Athletic Health and Performance. While their roles in bringing HUF to SD vary, they are all firmly behind this important movement to improve safety standards in youth football.

Coach Hermanson teaching tackling

RPF is also on board and focusing on fundamentals for all ages in July! We have our Think Football QB Clinic July 26th and an all ages 7 on 7 Tournament July 19-20, and we are also working to get athletes specifically trained in HUF techniques before the 2013 season! The SDJRFB camp July 10-13 for 2nd-8th graders, our Tackling Clinic July 16-17 for all ages, and a Non-contact camp for K-5th graders July 29-31 are designed to specifically train area athletes on proper fundamentals the HUF way. No matter which events athletes choose in July, they are guaranteed careful emphasis on fundamentals and technique. We believe that is an essential component of teaching the sport to promote the changing culture.


There are many benefits to be realized from training and certifying coaches, increasing awareness of injury prevention, and improving athletic performance without affecting the competitive spirit of football. It is exciting to see this collective effort to improve safety in the sport, and we are proud to be part of that effort in South Dakota. Stay tuned for more on HUF during the month of June, and join us for our July camps and clinics to get a Heads Up on the 2013 season!