For Parents

 

an informed parent makes the best decisions

If you are a parent with a child who wants to play football and you are looking to choose a League / Club / Chapter / Association to join, please use this check list to help evaluate the quality of the programs you are considering.

1. Practice structure and contact limits

Ask the league or coach:

  • Do you limit full‑contact practices to no more than 2 per week in regular season?

  • Do you prohibit full‑contact practices entirely in the offseason?

  • Is the full‑contact portion of practice capped at 30 minutes per day or less?

  • Do players complete at least 10 hours of non‑contact / conditioning before any full contact at the start of the season?

If any of these answers are “no” or vague, that’s a red flag.

2. Coaching education and certifications

Confirm the program requires:

  • Every coach to complete annual concussion and head‑injury education.

  • Every coach to complete annual training on heat illness signs, symptoms, and response.

  • Every coach to complete a nationally recognized tackling and blocking certification that teaches shoulder tackling and techniques designed to keep the head out of contact.

  • Background checks and child‑safety/abuse‑prevention training consistent with modern youth‑sports standards.

Ask to see proof: certificates, league policies, or links.

3. Medical coverage and emergency planning

Ask about medical support:

  • Is a state‑licensed EMT, paramedic, athletic trainer, nurse, or higher‑level medical professional present at all games? (Not just “someone who knows first aid.”)

  • Does that medical professional have clear authority to remove a player from play for suspected concussion or other injury?

  • Is there a written emergency action plan (EAP) at every field, including how they handle 911 calls, weather, and serious injuries?

  • Do they have AEDs on site and staff trained to use them?

4. Concussion, injury, and return‑to‑play policies

Ask for written policies that say:

  • Any player with suspected concussion is removed immediately and not allowed to return the same day.

  • Return‑to‑play requires written clearance from a licensed health care provider and a step‑by‑step, multi‑day return‑to‑play progression.

  • Parents are notified promptly in writing when their child is removed for a head or potential cardiac issue, with date, time, symptoms, and actions taken.

  • The league tracks injuries and keeps records (not just “we remember them”).

Ask: “Can I see your concussion and return‑to‑play policy in writing?”

5. Parent information and communication

Before your child plays, the program should:

  • Provide you with concussion and head‑injury information every year (fact sheet or booklet) and collect your signature.

  • Provide the state‑required opioid factsheet or similar medication‑safety information, with your signature.

  • Explain, in plain language, how they will communicate injuries and when you’ll be called or emailed.

  • Share codes of conduct for parents, players, and coaches.

If you never see anything in writing, push for it.

6. Equipment standards and fitting

Ask how they handle equipment:

  • Are helmets from recognized manufacturers, within certification dates, and reconditioned/re‑certified as required?

  • Are helmets and shoulder pads individually fitted for your child by someone trained to do so?

  • Is there a pre‑game equipment check before every game?

  • Are they open to approved supplemental protective equipment (e.g., soft‑shell helmet covers) if allowed by local rules?

7. Age/weight structure and matching

Confirm how they group players:

  • Are divisions organized by age, weight, or both, to keep size and maturity reasonably matched?

  • Do they have clear policies to prevent obviously unsafe mismatches (very large vs very small players) in the same division?

  • Is there a written process for moving a player up or down an age/weight division for safety reasons?

8. Overall safety culture

Finally, get a feel for culture:

  • Do coaches talk about “keeping the head out of contact,” proper technique, and safety first?

  • Do they limit or avoid high‑speed, long‑space collision drills (old‑school Oklahoma, “bull in the ring,” etc.)?

  • Are you encouraged to ask questions and see policies, or are you brushed off?

  • Does the organization say it follows standards similar to or stricter than the California Youth Football Act?


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