1) Education! Especially when it comes to sports, it is important for coaches, players, and parents to all understand the severity of concussions and know they can affect long term brain health.

 

2) Laws: All 50 states have taken measures to prevent concussions. They have put into place regulations stopping athletes from returning to play too soon. Click Here to go to USA Football's page, and see the laws each state adopted to keep athletes safe.

 

3) Proper Equipment: Wear proper equipment for the activity you are participating in at the time. The equipment should be worn correctly and well maintained.

 

4) Proper Techniques: All over the country, coaches are taking steps to make games such as football more safe for athletes. Coaches are instilling proper techniques in youth football players. These techniques are trickling down from the NFL to take the head out of the game by leading the tackle with the shoulder. Proper techniques can prevent concussions.

 

5) Inform Players of Consequences of Playing with a Concussion: Players and athletes need to be taught it is not safe to play if there is any question that a concussion took place. Returning to play before the brain has time to heal increases the recovery times and can enhance and prolong symptoms. Athletes need to feel safe to come out of the game and inform a coach or athletic trainers of signs or symptoms they may be having that could prevent further damage to their brain in the long run.