heads-up stabilizer logo
        HEAD DOWN contact occurs on 41%            of the plays during a High School     
    Football game or once every 2.4 plays
!

line
home page

FACTS ON SPINAL CORD INJURIES AND PREVENTION
facts page
  It is instinctive for a player to DROP the
  head at contact to protect the eyes and
  face. 
Players  who lower their head at the
  last moment have NOT had enough practice
  time to over come this powerful instinct.
  Players must be taught to keep their 
  HEAD UP at contact.  Players who keep
  their head up at contact greatly reduce the
  risk of axial loading to the cervical spine
  thus reducing
the possibility of head, neck, 
  spinal injuries and/or paralysis.
(Spearing in Football:
    Hendricks Hospital)
usa hockey picture

Spearing in Football:  Hendricks Hospital

Facts about Cervical Spinal Injuries:

A 20 yr. research study by the National Football Head and Neck Registry found that there is a relationship between cervical spine injuries, axial loading and head down contact.  Head down contact and spearing are one in the same.  Additional research indicates that head down contact occurs on 41% of the plays during a high school football game or once every 2.4 plays.

STATISTICS:

Football positions who suffer spinal cord injuries.  (National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research) 1977-2002
     1.  Defensive Backs                                  35.4%
     2.  Linebackers                                         10.5%
     3.  Offensive Backs/Receivers                     7.0%
     4.  Defensive Lineman                                  6.5%
     5.  Quarterbacks                                          3.1%
     6.  Offensive Lineman                                   2.2%

As noted in the statistics listed above all positions in football are at risk for some type of spinal injury.  This is why the HEADS-UP STABILIZER is the perfect Training Aid to teach ALL players the key to playing with their head up.

The term Axial Loading:  Absorbing a force to the top or crown of the head reverses the normal curvature of the cervical spine.  The result of axial loading or the straightening of the spine at impact can cause spinal cord injuries, paralysis or death.
           neck                                                                                  neck
                    (Figure 1)                                                                                                            (Figure 2)
        Normal position of the spine                                                                                                     Lowering of the head reverses, straightens
                   with the HEAD UP                                                                                               the spine placing a player at greater risk for serious injury

High School Football-Related Cervical Spinal Cord Injuries in Louisiana:  The Athletes Perspective  (David W. Lawrence, MPH,RN,CS; Gregory W. Stewart, MD; Dena M. Christy, MPH; Lynn I. Gibbs, MPH; March Ouellette, MD, MPH)

Axial loading of excessive force to the cervical spine has been documented as the primary cause of these injuries.  When the head is in a neutral position, the normal alignment of the spine is one of extension because of the lordotic curve.  With the head in a neutral position or further extended, forces of contact ca be partially dissipated by an athlete's well developed musculature of the neck.  When the head is rotated to a chin down position even as little as 30 degrees the normal cervical lordois (Figure 1) is straightened and the forces  of impact to the top of the head are transmitted directly to the cervical vertebrae (Figure 2).  When a player in this position collides with another player (termed spearing), the head is stopped, the trunk is still moving, and the cervical spine is crushed between the two.  Therefore, players who use the top of their helmets to tackle, block, or strike opponents are at greater risk.

Cervical Spine Injuries in Football Players:  Thomas BE, McCullen GM, Yuan HA.  Naval Medical Center San Diego, CA

Most severe cervical spine injuries share the common mechanism of application of an axial load to the straightened spine.  Avoiding techniques that employ "head down" tackling and wearing properly fitted equipment markedly reduce the risk of serious injury.

Injuries of the Cervical Spine in Football:  Funk FF, Wells RE

Coaches, officials and doctors associated with football teams need to be aware of the dangers of head-on tackling and the value of "HEADS UP" football to avoid flexion injuries.

The Heads-Up Stabilizer STRONGLY recommends that all players are taught the proper techniques of initiating contact with the SHOULDER while keeping the HEAD UP.  Keeping the HEAD UP at contact reduces the risk of catastrophic neck injuries.  The Heads-Up Stabilizer's goal is as an innovative Training Aid, designed to instill, promote, and reinforce good solid fundamental techniques through practice and repetition.

danger label