NFL Health Playbook will feature a guest columnist every Tuesday, each with a different viewpoint of player health and safety from the youth level to pro football.
By Keith Elias, NFL Evolution columnist
In a world where the landscape is marked by such fervent competition in the game of football, it is even more important for coaches to become Heads Up certified. Simply put, Heads Up Football coaches make the game safer and more fun for all.
Why do I say this? Because the desire to win sometimes blinds a coach to the most important things about the sport of football, namely teamwork, character, and, yes, safe technique. To make this game safer, which in my opinion makes it more fun, it is better to have a Heads Up certified coach.
The Heads Up coach helps take the fear out of the game for our young players. There will always be the ball-hawk kid that loves to stick his face into the action, but most young players are not as quick to dive into the contact of the game. A Heads Up certified coach teaches the tackling techniques that give every player the tools to be as aggressive as possible while being as safe as possible.
Most players will tell you that it is the hesitant players that get hurt. Knowing and understanding a safe technique makes for a more aggressive player.
Aggressive players make plays, and making plays makes the game more fun. Missing tackles or getting hurt are some of the worst things about playing football. The Heads Up tackling technique diminishes the risk for both of these things. The technique puts players in a great football position to be able to be successful in taking down their opponent.
In addition, the Heads Up tackling technique puts players in a safer position. This is a powerful combination. Players utilizing the Heads Up tackling technique are safer and more adept. This makes the game more fun.
So, having a Heads Up certified head coach is a great asset to any team.
Keith Elias is a former NFL running back with the New York Giants and the Indianapolis Colts. He now works as a motivational speaker and as an ambassador for the Heads Up Football program.
