National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Head-Down Contact and Spearing in Tackle Football.

OBJECTIVE: To present recommendations that decrease the risk of cervical spine fractures and dislocations in football players. BACKGROUND: Axial loading of the cervical spine resulting from head-down contact is the primary cause of spinal cord injuries. Keeping the head up and initiating contact with the shoulder or chest decreases the risk of these injuries.

The Health Supervision Loop in Sport.

The health supervision loop is a model that will help community sports programs care for their athletes as safely as possible within the limits of their resources.