Safe4Sports
Concussion
Prevention
Program
The Safe4Sports Concussion Prevention Program is based on three main pillars – Awareness, Actions, and Attitude. Within these underpinnings, the main sources of intervention are Physical Preparation, Protective Equipment, Situational Awareness, and Sportsmanship & Ethics. The coach is the focal point of the program’s success but parents, administrators, officials and the athletes themselves are each tasked with roles and responsibilities.
The Safe4Sports Concussion Prevention Program provides leadership and practical steps towards prevention by empowering sports organizations, sports administrators, parents, and players to become more aware and more actively involved in the process of making sport safe. Because serious sports injuries are multi-factorial, we as advocates of sport have identified the ability of each stakeholder to engage and become active participants in the prevention of injuries.
The coach is to become the main advocate of safer sports participation; by building knowledge of effective play, demonstrating abilities to improve play, while nurturing a lifelong enjoyment in the sport. The Safe4Sports coach has a tremendous influence on players, parents, and the team’s various sport supporters. A well-prepared and trained coach affects a large number of individuals in a sporting community and can become a “Champion” of a safer sports culture.
Administrators also have a key role and responsibility in the game. They are the facilitators, evaluators, guides, and sponsors of safe play.
The parent/guardian can become an “active spectator” in safety. Their responsibility begins with the selection of an appropriate sports program and then continues as they nurture their athlete’s development.
The Safe4Sports Prevention Program, provides tangible resources and tools to aid coaches, administrators, parents, and athletes of all ages and at all levels of play.
Shoot for a Cure believes that our Safe4Sports Prevention Program is able to build sports leaders to act as “catalysts of change” and “Champions” of a “better and safer game”. The Safe4Sports Prevention Program is a compete resourceful guide with the prevention of serious injury in sport as its ultimate goal.
As previously described the Safe4Sports Prevention Program is supported by the main philosophical tenants of Awareness, Actions, and Attitude. For example, awareness of the fact that serious injury is preventable: that a process and procedures can act to eliminate and control exposures that all stakeholders must be engaged and support one another in safe outcomes. As the second requirement, actions must be identified, understood, and delegated to those stakeholders of the sport who are competent and able to perform the actions in a consistent manner. Lastly, attitudes that are aligned with safe play, citizenship, and appropriate stages of competition and development, that match the athlete’s age and needs, must be supported in the sport.
PHYSICAL PREPARATION
An athlete’s ability to prepare themselves through physical activation strategies is a vital injury prevention strategy. This ancillary and transferable skill is an inclusive skill required as a core competency for every athlete. With a focus on stability, dynamic flexibility, and functional strength key strategies to engage are emphasized.
ON-ICE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Leading, organizing and teaching a hockey athlete correct fundamentals, techniques, and tactics at the right time are key strategies to prevent injury. Equipping players with a skill set matched to their age and stage ensures safe play.
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Individual protective equipment acts to prevent minor and serious injury is a key factor in prevention. Parents, athletes, equipment managers/trainers, coaches and even officials each have important oversight in ensuring equipment is up to standard and worn as intended.
SPORTSMANSHIP & ETHICS
Linking to the potential for sport to create opportunities for ethical and moral development just doesn’t happen. Sportsmanship, ethics and the values of sport, when practiced, provide the parameters for safe play. Teams must practice and reward safe play behavior systematically.
Safe4Sports Appraisal & Registry
Utilizing the Safe4Sports matrix our expert schedules observation of practice and competitive events (2-3 events) a safe sport score is generated with “leading indicators of prevention” highlighted and areas of need established. Post evaluation a detailed summary is provided along with shared advice and solutions. Participation guarantees registration of the evaluated team to Safe4Sports registry. Members receive on-going resources, mentorship and receive recognition on the StopConcussion website.
Safe4Sports Clinic(s)
These clinics are well situated in pre-season and/or just prior to the competitive season for teams. Players, coaches and administrators benefit from off-ice seminars designed for their specific roles and responsibilities in prevention. An additional parent session may also be added. In addition, on-ice clinics teaching movement concepts, fundamentals and the 4 leading indicators are provided in hourly sessions led by our trained expert instructors.
Safe4Sports Team Seal
Teams that become members and that demonstrate maintenance and improvement in preventative practices based on re-evaluation and scoring on the Safe4Sports matrix will earn the Safe4Sports Seal as recognition of their accomplishment. Published recognition will be offered to teams and cresting, insignia and clothing options provided.
Safe4Sports MHA Training & Symposia
Individual seminar and/or larger on-demand symposia and training can be requested to fit into your event.
Safe4Sports Mentorship & Resources
Access to our experts and specific resources can be requested on an request basis. Access to these services are.
Get Involved
Whether you want to make a donation or get involved with our team, your help is always appreciated!
Donations are used towards funding educational material for coaches, parents, and teachers and allow us to continue our work in general. If you want to work with us or become an ambassador to help spread the word, please don’t hesitate to contact us! If you are interested, click one of the buttons on the right.
About Us
StopConcussions is a non-profit company, that aims to bring players, parents, coaches and officials information on brain concussions and their consequences in contact sports.
This website is here to help educate and are not intended to replace medical care and/or professional supervision. There is no substitute for a competent neurologist, physician, health professional or clinician when it comes to diagnosing and managing concussions. What StopConcussions offers is an insight into the nature of a brain injury. It is a guide to help you understand the cause, effects and consequences of concussions as well as how you can help reduce the incidences of the injury, manage the injury better and be able to ask all the right questions when dealing with a concussed individual.
The brain is complex, and each injury is personalized. Not only is every brain different, so is every concussion, and the therapy must be tailored to each individual. With this said, only a physician or qualified healthcare professional who has been educated in concussions can recommend a treatment and rehabilitation program. If you have any questions or concerns regarding a specific injury, contact your physician immediately.
Contact Us
Whether you need help dealing with a concussion, need information or other materials or are a concerned parent or coach, we are happy to help. Please contact us with any and all inquiries regarding our field.