Huskies Return to Gridiron With Health Factors in Mind

To school students, the middle of August traditionally means a new school year is just on the horizon. To , it means the fall season has begun or is about to start.

Last week at , the Huskies’ football team commenced preparations for its 2011 season, harboring aspirations of improving on last year’s 4-3 record against Division III opponents. Coach Ron Silva, launching his fifth season at Mt. Hope’s helm, greeted 70 players in grades 9 through 12 during this week’s two-a-day sessions, which essentially consisted of conditioning and introductory techniques.

According to regulations of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, the Huskies opened camp wearing helmets only; introduced shoulder pads the next day, but with no contact; and did not permit full pads and contact until last Saturday. In a new routine, Silva and his staff held daily sessions from 8:30 to 11 a.m.; took a 90-minute lunch break at the school; and resumed workouts from 12:45 to 2:30 p.m.

“I took the idea of staying at school from the coaching staff at South Kingstown High and I think it has worked out well,” Silva said. “Our new system doesn’t take up the kids’ entire day and also gives them more time to recover. The players seem to enjoy it as well.”

The Huskies will continue double sessions through the week and also begin scrimmaging against other high school teams.

Although the weather has cooperated with high school football teams in Rhode Island this week with moderate temperatures, and similar forecasts for next week, the threats of dehydration and heat stroke are evident in summer heat. In other sections of the United States this month alone, six high school football players and one coach have died, although the causes of death have not yet been legally determined.

The RIIL has increased its emphasis on hydration-related issues this year, providing easy links on its Web site (www.riil.org) to six handbooks, guidelines and regulations produced by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), including health and wellness, heat-related illnesses, energy drinks, fluid replacement, hydration and sickle cell traits. The RIIL also requires all high school coaches to complete the NFHS Course entitled “Fundamentals of Coaching” and to maintain updated certifications in First-Aid Training and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

At Mt. Hope, Silva said dehydration has never been a problem.

“We have water breaks scheduled every 20 or 30 minutes and water is available at all of our instructional stations,” he said. “We have barrels of water on hand at all times.”

Silva said he and his staff have greatly benefited from the presence of certified athletic trainer Donald Squires and volunteer Tom Foley, whom he said carefully monitor all aspects of football practices. During a practice this week, Squires and Foley both worked during water breaks and during sessions by providing bottles of cold water spray and cold towels for players’ use.

“We’ve had a major improvement in taking care of our players since the district hired a full-time athletic trainer,” Silva said. “This is Don’s third year with us and he makes my job so much easier.”

Another national concern in football and other sports is the issue of concussions and head injuries, which has attracted considerable attention in recent years. In an effort to reduce risks, the National Football League has reduced contact activities for its teams and several collegiate conferences (including the Ivy League) have adopted similar precautions.

So has the RIIL. In accordance with state law (School & Youth Programs Concussion Act Title 16-90-1), all schools in Rhode Island (RIIL affiliates and those unaffiliated with the league) are now required to adhere to specific mandates introduced to minimize the risks of concussion and to properly treat student-athletes who have suffered concussions.

According to the RIIL Web site, all student-athletes and their parents or guardians must be apprised of the risks of concussions and traumatic brain injuries prior to the start of sports seasons; parents or guardians must sign a document indicating they are aware of these risks; schools must provide training materials produced by the United States Center for Disease Control for all teams; all sports coaches and athletic trainers (paid and volunteer) must successfully complete an online course entitled “Concussions in Sports” provided by the NFHS; and student-athletes who incur concussions must sign a concussion and head injury information sheet prior to their return to action (this document must also be signed by their parents or guardians).

Also, student-athletes suspected of suffering concussions or head injuries during practices or games must be removed from action immediately and will not be permitted to return to action until being evaluated and receiving written authorization from a licensed physician to return to competition.

At Mt. Hope, Silva said head injuries have never been prevalent.

“We are adamant that our players do not lead tackles with their heads,” he said. “We teach proper hitting and tackling techniques and we minimize contact in practices.”

Silva also said stronger punishment for incorrect hitting techniques in high school football would be a welcome addition.

“Teams need to be held accountable for players’ actions on the field,” he said. “If players are hitting helmet-to-helmet or spearing, the penalties should be severe and should be enforced.”