top of page

Bobcat Safety

cpr_aed.jpg

Bobcat Youth has made the proactive decision to implement  emergency action procedures for all of our board members and coaches.

 

Every board member has received CPR/First aid and AED certification. Additionally, each of our coaches will have the opportunity to be trained as well.

 

It is imperative that at any point during a practice or a game that there is a member of BYFO, whether a coach or board member, that is trained and can step in and administer aid if need be.

DSC_0540.JPG
Usa_football_body_logo.svg.png

Bobcat Youth is committed to the safety of all its athletes.  Every coach is required to complete USA Football Certification.  This includes training dealing with

  • Concussions 

  • Heat and Hydration

  • Sudden Cardiac Arrest

  • Equipment Fitting

  • Proper Blocking and Tackling

Additionally, as part of NTFL, Bobcat youth follows the USA Football, Football Development Model.  Through this initiative the game is tailored to best fit young athletes as they develop, from non-contact, to modified contact, and finally full contact. 

Concussions

Heat
&
Weather

It is important that education about heat illness and hydration occurs at all levels of football. At the youth level, parents and coaches help to prevent heat illness during the warm weather. Most youth football leagues, which include children between the ages of six through thirteen, begin their pre-season practices in the middle of July. The first full- contact activities usually begin in August, when the weather is still hot and humid, a perfect environment to cause heat illnesses. 

Both the NISD and the UIL have excellent recommendations on how to prevent heat illness in football during the warm weather. It is important that you as a parent review these articles.

At a minimum, Bobcat Youth will implement the recommendations into our pre-season and early season games.

  • These recommended guidelines include:

  •  Proper medical coverage at all practices and games 

  • Acclimate the athletes during the preseason over a two week period 

  •  Allow proper fluid replacement to maintain hydration 

  •  Practice and rest in shaded areas 

  • Have proper rest periods during and between practice sessions 

  • Minimize the amount of equipment and clothing worn by players in hot and humid conditions. By minimizing the amount of equipment and clothing worn by players in hot and humid conditions, the Texas UIL recommends that all players be permitted to remove their helmets during rest breaks of both practices and games. With the football helmet on at all times in hot and humid weather, the body core temperature can increase to a greater extent and that may play a role in the development of an exertional heat illness.

  • The helmet should also be taken off in games between periods and at halftime, during hot weather. By combining proper hydration, rest, and the removal of the helmet for a period of time, this assists in the reduction of core body temperature and reduces the risk of developing a heat illness

Excessive Heat Plan

  • Bobcat Youth will monitor the weather and field conditions throughout the day.    On days with excessive heat, we follow a multi-stage approach that begins with planned referee water breaks every 5 minutes all the way to moving games to later in the day.  For game days with these conditions, we have constant communication with referees, head coaches, participating organizations and BYFO representatives to make sure field conditions are safe for all participants

  • Heat this time of year is expected in North Texas and it's why we implement USA Football Policies at the beginning of the season and throughout the year to help kids become heat acclimated and learn about proper nutrition, hydration and sleep throughout the season.  If you have questions about this program, please reach out to your head coach or team safety representative.  

bottom of page