The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed a free tool kit for coaches titled, Heads Up: Concussion in High School Sports, which features a DVD, guide, fact sheets, posters, and other materials to educate coaches about concussions.
www.cdc.gov/concussioninYouthSports

The Sports Legacy Institute performs concussion clinics for coaches that consist of a multimedia presentation, a take-home workbook, and an online test covering concussion frequency, prevention, return-to-play decisions, and coordination with medical personnel, schools, and family.
sportslegacy.org/CCC.asp

More concussion and CTE information is available at sportslegacy.org.

The Boston University Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy is a collaboration between the Sports Legacy Institute and the Boston University School of Medicine, as well as a leader in research on CTE.
www.bu.edu/alzresearch/research/encephalopathy/index.html

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Sports Medicine Concussion Program has been at the forefront of clinical treatment and research of concussions.
www.upmc.com/MediaRelations/factsheets/Pages/ConcussionSportsMedBG.aspx

The University of North Carolina is home to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research, which has studied head, brain, and spinal injuries since 1965. UNC has also performed extensive research of sports-related concussions.
www.unc.edu/depts/nccsi/index.htm

This link leads to a feature article in our sister publication, Training & Conditioning, detailing the latest research on and recommendations for preventing concussions.
www.training-conditioning.com/2009/05/29/the_invisible_injury/index.php

Learn about the ImPACT testing system for concussion management.
www.impacttest.com

FEEDBACK

Our state (Colorado) is debating the use of helmets for 7 on 7 football. (passing drill for QBs, receivers, linebackers and d-backs).
We believe it would be safer to wear helmets during those drills. Not only a safety issue regarding concussions during these drills but also cut down on mouth/teeth injuries. Opponents say it will only make the players more aggressive.
We have also proposed to the State Board of Control a Proposal to allow helmets in the summer for non-contact practice. We believe this proposal would be positive because it would allow time for coaches to teach proper technique and also allow time for proper helmet fitting.
Thank you for your feedback.

- Kent Waryan
Executive Director of Athletics and Activities
Jeffco Public Schools