The Coach’s Playbook for Athlete Safety
February 5th, 2026
Football’s physical nature has driven the evolution of protective gear, and new technology continues to advance player safety. This coach’s playbook for athlete safety examines how safety equipment has evolved and offers guidance on better protecting athletes.
Football safety evolution
In the early 1900s, football was a game of helmetless “gang tackles” and high-risk mass formations. For the players’ safety, President Theodore Roosevelt championed the introduction of the forward pass, which effectively spread the field and reduced injuries.
This shift marked the birth of the safety-first mindset, paving the way for the protective gear and strategic regulations that define the modern game.
Helmet rules.
Football headgear has come a long way since the early 20th century, when players wore simple leather caps, to 1949, when protective gear changed forever when the NFL mandated the use of plastic helmets. Eventually, face bars and advanced internal padding were integrated, leading to cutting-edge materials and fitting guidelines that dictate what goes into today’s helmets.
Now, more than ever, manufacturers focus on innovation to enhance safety, such as position-specific helmets and digital head scans to customize helmets to fit each athlete. These innovations have transformed the helmet into a sophisticated tool.
Shoulder pad rules.
Shoulder pads have evolved from yesterday’s bulky, restrictive designs to today’s streamlined, custom-fit pads tailored for specific positions. However, a proper fit is still a must. All athletes’ shoulder pads must cover their shoulders, clavicles, sternum and back. So, if athletes say they want “smaller” shoulder pads, that doesn’t always mean a smaller size. Manufacturer fitting guides must still be followed to ensure athletes have proper coverage and the right pads for their positions.
Q-Collar.
While helmets are designed to protect athletes’ skulls, the Q-Collar is the only FDA-cleared equipment designed to protect an athlete’s brain from the effects of repetitive head impacts in sports.
Similar to a seatbelt in a car, the Q-Collar helps to keep the brain more secure during impacts. It helps reduce the brain’s movement upon impact (the primary cause of brain injury) by applying light pressure to the neck, which causes a partial occlusion to the jugular veins and a slight increase in blood volume inside the head, surrounding the brain. It does not reduce blood circulation or blood flow through the carotid arteries, nor does it negatively impact athletic performance.
The Q-Collar is backed by 10-plus years of scientific research, and its FDA clearance is supported by the largest neuroprotection studies in sports medicine, involving over 500 athletes.
How coaches can help protect their athletes
Equipping your team for success means more than just running drills—it requires mastering the coach’s playbook for athlete safety, ensuring your players are protected with the proper gear and the safest techniques.
Embrace innovation.
To protect athletes, coaches need to prioritize athlete safety by exploring innovative approaches, knowing the equipment’s purpose and the manufacturers’ fitting requirements, and relying on trustworthy research. Independent third-party studies, conducted by groups with no financial stake, provide impartial evidence on a product’s safety and effectiveness—unlike internal research, which may be biased.
Alter practice.
Practice intensity should fit players’ ages and abilities. Some experts suggest delaying full-contact tackle football until ages 14 or 15, focusing instead on non-contact skill-building during the younger years.
When coaches emphasize technical drills, they help athletes develop proficiency in proper form before engaging in high-intensity situations.
Implement the correct safety gear.
Implementing the correct safety gear is only effective if it fits properly. Even the best technology fails when worn incorrectly.
To ensure your team is truly protected, coaches can rely on HelmetFitting.com for professional eLearning services and comprehensive fitting guides.
Look out for any signs of injury.
Because football is fundamentally physical, coaches must stay vigilant. Always monitor your roster for critical warning signs such as nausea, blurred vision or ringing in the ears, and pull a player immediately if you suspect an injury.
Never let an athlete “play through the pain,” as ignoring a potential fracture or concussion can lead to permanent damage.
Summary
By following our expert-led standards at HelmetFitting.com, you can master the essential techniques outlined in the coach’s playbook for athlete safety and ensure that every player takes the field with secure, properly fitted gear. For more tips, continue reading our blogs.
