Coaching Background Checks

Head coaches are responsible for collecting applications for every coach on his staff.  When completed, with proper ID copies attached, deliver the documents to John Evans during any of the equipment check-out dates.

  
Absolute last date any applications will be accepted will be Monday August 13^th.  

FORM - Quality Coaches Program - Complete page 8 - 10 and submit along with a copy of your driver's .

USA FOOTBALL
Every coach must be USA Football certified to coach in our league.  Proof of membership and completion of course is track on-line by our administrator for your convenience.  When your ID badge is mailed to you, it must be attached to your sideline pass.

PLAYERS CARD - Use the attached form to complete your roster and bring to weight-ins.

CONCUSSIONS -

All -

I'm attaching an updated version of the handout from my talk last Saturday. Please feel free to post it on-line or to distribute it otherwise as you see fit.

There was some discussion about mouth guards, so let me weigh-in briefly on that topic in case it arises again. There is clear evidence that a properly fitted guard will provide good protection against dental damage and oral lacerations. More recent evidence indicates that wearing a guard allows a player to clench the jaw tightly, tightening the neck & shoulder muscles and reducing the whiplash and rotational forces on the head and neck. We now know these non-linear forces also can be big factors in producing concussions, although a direct link between mouth guards and fewer concussions has not been demonstrated to my satisfaction. On the other hand, even if wearing a mouth guard provides only limited benefit it still seems like a reasonable thing to do.

This raises awareness of two related factors – the potential benefit of neck strengthening exercises, and the wisdom of having mouth guards required in all sports (e.g., soccer). The officials generally are being more observant and more strict about the wearing of a mouth guard during play, but they aren’t yet inspecting the quality of the mouth guard that is being used. A cut-down guard or a guard that’s been chewed won’t provide adequate protection for either the teeth or the brain.

The “boil & bite” guards, multi layer, and custom-fit guards all provide more protection than no guard or a poorly-fitted guard, and the degree of protection probably does increase with the cost of the guard. My son manages to chew through 2-3 guards per season, so the cost factor is usually what gets noticed by parents. Parents seldom, however, inspect the guard as the season progresses if the kid doesn't complain about it and this is a detail that should be addressed (and a custom-fit guard, which seldom slips out of place, also is less likely to be chewed). Buying several extra guards is a small cost relative to the price paid by the player who is hurt while wearing a poor mouth guard. This topic clearly is a fertile ground for advertising, so some level of skepticism related to claims made by manufacturers probably is warranted.

My own opinion is that if the mouth guard fits securely enough to not be dislodged when opening the mouth and if it doesn’t impede breathing too greatly, it is more likely to be in the player’s mouth for that moment when it is needed. The whole issue pretty much comes down to compliance – whether voluntary or enforced by a parent/coach/official. Wearing a mouth guard may be inconvenient, uncomfortable, and awkward, but that’s all a small price to pay for good health and a longer sports career...

Have a good season!
Jeff