Health & Safety

USA Football

The NFL Foundation has been a strong supporter of USA Football since its formation as the sport’s national governing body. USA Football designs and delivers premier educational, developmental and competitive programs aimed at growing and advancing football—including flag and tackle disciplines. USA Football partners with medical, child development, long-term athlete development and football subject matter experts to establish best practices, set standards for coaching, player development and athlete safety, and support positive football experiences for youth, high school and other amateur players. The organization was endowed in 2002 by the NFL and the NFL Players Association.

The Football Development Model

USA Football’s Football Development Model is an advanced approach to youth football. It’s designed to help coaches teach athletes based on their age, the skill they are learning and the game type. This approach assists with the development of young athletes and allows them to learn the game and related skills in a progression that best suits them, as well as offers young athletes more opportunities to play the game and choose the type of football they want to play. Like many sports, football has changed and evolved over time. Regardless of challenges it has faced, the sport remains “America’s game,” with millions of young athletes participating nationwide.

Learn more at www.usafootball.com/fdm

First Down

First Down is a fun and free introduction to football for kids and their parents. No contact, no cost, all fun. Young athletes get active and learn the basics like running, jumping, passing and catching. Through hundreds of events, tens of thousands of kids experience football for the first time. All skills and drills selected are based on the Football Development Model.

First Down curriculum is able to fit your camp’s needs based on length of time, space, age and number of kids attending. Join the hundreds of current and former NFL players that bring First Down to their community each summer. For more, visit www.usafootball.com/firstdown.

Coach Certification

The USA Football Coach Certification program is a way for coaches to “step up to the standard” and be the best leaders for their athletes. Through certification, coaches pledge to make athletes their top priority and are given access to new and useful videos, resources and tools to enhance the game. Since 2012, more than 1.1 million coach certifications were completed.

Smart Heart Sports Coalition

Founded in March 2023 in response to the life-saving emergency response and care provided to DAMAR HAMLIN, the coalition seeks to drive adoption in all 50 states of evidence-based policies that will prevent fatalities from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) among high school students and in school communities. The coalition comprises major sports leagues and organizations, as well as leading patient and health advocacy groups across the country.

The NFL Foundation is also providing financial support to the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers campaign. This multi-year initiative is focused on school communities, teaching and training students, educators and families on how to be ready and respond to a cardiac emergency with the life-saving skill of Hands-Only CPR. With this additional grant funding, the NFL Foundation has now provided a total of more than $1 million to ensure schools and communities nationwide are better prepared and equipped to save the lives of those who experience sudden cardiac arrest.

GENYOUth

The NFL is a founding partner of GENYOUth, a national youth health and wellness organization that helps school children thrive by living well-nourished, physically active lives.

The NFL Foundation provided funding support to the Power Up to Move Your Way® AdVenture Capital Challenge, in partnership with GENYOUth and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP). The initiative challenged middle and high school students ages 13-17 to inspire healthier, happier lives for themselves and fellow students. More than 50 schools across the country submitted proposals for project funding, outlining solutions that encourage their school communities to prioritize health, make every bite count with nutritious meals and snacks, and aim for 60 minutes of joyful movement every day. Schools were equipped with key resources developed by NFL PLAY 60, Move Your Way® and MyPlate to gain inspiration for their projects.

Team Up For Sports Safety (TUFSS)

Managed through the Korey Stringer Institute, and funded by the NFL Foundation, Team Up For Sports Safety (TUFSS) aims to propel the adoption of policies proven to reduce catastrophic injuries.

Examples of policies advanced by TUFSS include:

• Having athletics Emergency Action Plans (EAP)
• Heat acclimatization
• AEDs within 1-3 minutes of athletic venues
• Cold water immersion tubs to treat exertional heat stroke victims
• Pre-participation exams for athletes
• Extreme weather practice modification policy