Lake Zurich Flames Youth Football League Takes Lead with Safety Initiative

USA Football is the official youth development partner of the NFL and its 32 teams. The Lake Zurich Flames football program is among more than 900 youth football organizations nationwide that will incorporate Heads Up Football into its 2013 season.

Every Flames coach will be trained in Heads Up Football techniques before leading their teams this season. All Flames head coaches and assistant coaches will complete USA Football's accredited Level 1 Coach Certification Course, which includes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concussion recognition and response protocols; proper helmet and shoulder pad fitting; and Heads Up Tackling techniques, which aim to take the head out of the line of contact.

Through Heads Up Football, Player Safety Coaches will be trained by USA Football to implement, evaluate and monitor all Heads Up Football player safety protocols within the organization. Player Safety Coaches work with league commissioners, coaches, parents and players throughout the season to provide on-site clinics and mentoring to ensure that coaching and player safety best practices are used.

"Every year The Lake Zurich Flames strives to make youth football in our town the best it can be," said Don Cook, Vice President of Flames Football Operations. "Even after 40 years of providing one of the best youth programs in Northern Illinois, the best is yet to come. Our Safety Committee's focus on Health Monitoring, Conditioning and Heads Up Tackle Training will continue our push for an even better and safer youth football and cheer program."

"Heads Up Football promotes a safer, better game," USA Football Executive Director SCOTT HALLENBECK said. "We are proud to have the Lake Zurich Flames Youth Football organization join us in leading America's youth football community through Heads Up Football, helping to set the highest standards of player safety and coaching education in any youth sport."