How to reduce head injuries in sports...today!
For the last month leading up to tonights Super Bowl, the media has talked nonstop about concussions in sports. But, what will happen tomorrow when the game
is over. The news will pick a new topic and the concern for our young athletes will be forgotten. Unless, we continue the discussion and take action ourselves.
COACHES, ATHLETES, PARENTS,
ADMINISTRATORS, MEDIA,
MEDICAL PROVIDERS,
Introducing the
“KELLEY REDUCED IMPACT AGREEMENT”
“Kelley R.I.A.”
The concern for head injuries in soccer is a global issue. The concussion statistics are alarming. In 2009 over 24,000 soccer players ended up in the Emergency room with more than 3 times that amount not reporting to the Hospital. Female soccer players had 40% more cases than boys. Soccer accounted for more head injuries than rugby, hockey, lacrosse and trampolines combined. Injuries come from “head to head”, “head to arm” and “head to ball” contact. As a Director of Physical Therapy I am asked daily for my opinion on this hot topic. Thus far research has not supported the use of the current head gear on the market, so what can we do? The Kelley R.I.A tool is my response. I am asking the Charleston Area Soccer Community to not only take the lead in protecting our athletes, but to be pioneers in developing a system of which the entire nation can follow.
If there is a way to persevere both the sport and the health of our young athletes, then we have the responsibility to act. The “KELLEY REDUCED IMPACT AGREEMENT” provides such an opportunity.
I have included the Agreement as well as the implementation of the rules. This is a simple and voluntary agreement that may be signed by the coaches before the game. The coaches circle the portions they agree on and the officiating crew will witness and agree to implement the associated penalties during the game. This is not an effort to change the current rules and regulations of the game. This is only intended to provide an opportunity to reduce the risk of head injuries. If it is right for you and your teams then YOU CAN PRINT THIS AGREEMENT AND USE IT TODAY. If it is not right for you then play on and be safe.
Please email me at privatetherapyservices@gmail.com with feedback. Let me know if you would like to get involved or if you have any means of advancing this safety agreement through media, marketing, networking or other grass roots efforts. I will make myself available to you and all that would like to join the discussion.
Thank you,
Dr. Jonathan Kelley, DPT, ATC, MTC, STS
Director/ Founder of Private Therapy Services, LLC
Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC)
Bachelors in Exercise and Sports Sciences
Manual Therapy Certified (MTC)
IWA Strength Training Specialist (STS)
Father of 3 and Lifelong soccer fan, player and coach.
“Let’s take this issue head on!”
Drafted and Supported by
Private Therapy Services, LLC
Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine
DR. JONATHAN KELLEY, DPT, ATC, MTC, STS
____________________________________________________
THE KELLEY REDUCED IMPACT AGREEMENT
“Kelley R.I.A”
PURPOSE: To reduce the amount of head/neck traumas in soccer while preserving the equality, athleticism and competitiveness of the sport.
INITIATION: This is a Voluntary pre-game agreement between the coaches of each team and enforced by the game officials. There are several choices and room for additional terms to be made.
TERMS:
Each team agrees to refrain from using his/ her head during the following plays:
(Circle all that apply.)
Punts Goal Kicks Corner Kicks
Free Kicks Thrown-Ins All aspects of the game.
Additional Agreements: ____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Use this space to add or clarify any other terms)
Team___________________ Coach_______________________ Signature_______________________
Team___________________ Coach_______________________ Signature_______________________
Officials’/ Witness signature____________________________________________
It is the responsibility of the coaches and officials to inform the players of the rules agreed upon prior to the match.
PENALTIES
If any player breaks the agreement by using his/her head when it has been disallowed, then the other team will be awarded a free kick from the location of the foul. When the defense commits this foul in the goalie box it is up to the referee to award a free kick or penalty kick.
In the instance of a “double foul” where 2 players commit the same foul against one another, the referee will initiate a drop ball at the location of the foul.
No cards should be issued for these infractions.
“Thank you for your attention to the safety of our athletes,” John Kelley
Forms available at www.askmypt.com
is over. The news will pick a new topic and the concern for our young athletes will be forgotten. Unless, we continue the discussion and take action ourselves.
COACHES, ATHLETES, PARENTS,
ADMINISTRATORS, MEDIA,
MEDICAL PROVIDERS,
Introducing the
“KELLEY REDUCED IMPACT AGREEMENT”
“Kelley R.I.A.”
The concern for head injuries in soccer is a global issue. The concussion statistics are alarming. In 2009 over 24,000 soccer players ended up in the Emergency room with more than 3 times that amount not reporting to the Hospital. Female soccer players had 40% more cases than boys. Soccer accounted for more head injuries than rugby, hockey, lacrosse and trampolines combined. Injuries come from “head to head”, “head to arm” and “head to ball” contact. As a Director of Physical Therapy I am asked daily for my opinion on this hot topic. Thus far research has not supported the use of the current head gear on the market, so what can we do? The Kelley R.I.A tool is my response. I am asking the Charleston Area Soccer Community to not only take the lead in protecting our athletes, but to be pioneers in developing a system of which the entire nation can follow.
If there is a way to persevere both the sport and the health of our young athletes, then we have the responsibility to act. The “KELLEY REDUCED IMPACT AGREEMENT” provides such an opportunity.
I have included the Agreement as well as the implementation of the rules. This is a simple and voluntary agreement that may be signed by the coaches before the game. The coaches circle the portions they agree on and the officiating crew will witness and agree to implement the associated penalties during the game. This is not an effort to change the current rules and regulations of the game. This is only intended to provide an opportunity to reduce the risk of head injuries. If it is right for you and your teams then YOU CAN PRINT THIS AGREEMENT AND USE IT TODAY. If it is not right for you then play on and be safe.
Please email me at privatetherapyservices@gmail.com with feedback. Let me know if you would like to get involved or if you have any means of advancing this safety agreement through media, marketing, networking or other grass roots efforts. I will make myself available to you and all that would like to join the discussion.
Thank you,
Dr. Jonathan Kelley, DPT, ATC, MTC, STS
Director/ Founder of Private Therapy Services, LLC
Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC)
Bachelors in Exercise and Sports Sciences
Manual Therapy Certified (MTC)
IWA Strength Training Specialist (STS)
Father of 3 and Lifelong soccer fan, player and coach.
“Let’s take this issue head on!”
Drafted and Supported by
Private Therapy Services, LLC
Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine
DR. JONATHAN KELLEY, DPT, ATC, MTC, STS
____________________________________________________
THE KELLEY REDUCED IMPACT AGREEMENT
“Kelley R.I.A”
PURPOSE: To reduce the amount of head/neck traumas in soccer while preserving the equality, athleticism and competitiveness of the sport.
INITIATION: This is a Voluntary pre-game agreement between the coaches of each team and enforced by the game officials. There are several choices and room for additional terms to be made.
TERMS:
Each team agrees to refrain from using his/ her head during the following plays:
(Circle all that apply.)
Punts Goal Kicks Corner Kicks
Free Kicks Thrown-Ins All aspects of the game.
Additional Agreements: ____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Use this space to add or clarify any other terms)
Team___________________ Coach_______________________ Signature_______________________
Team___________________ Coach_______________________ Signature_______________________
Officials’/ Witness signature____________________________________________
It is the responsibility of the coaches and officials to inform the players of the rules agreed upon prior to the match.
PENALTIES
If any player breaks the agreement by using his/her head when it has been disallowed, then the other team will be awarded a free kick from the location of the foul. When the defense commits this foul in the goalie box it is up to the referee to award a free kick or penalty kick.
In the instance of a “double foul” where 2 players commit the same foul against one another, the referee will initiate a drop ball at the location of the foul.
No cards should be issued for these infractions.
“Thank you for your attention to the safety of our athletes,” John Kelley
Forms available at www.askmypt.com
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