Protection Beyond the Game
Written by Jerry Fife
A Portrait from a Bended Knee | ProTect Athletics Athletic Safety Leadership A Portrait from a Bended Knee The stadium goes silent. Teammates kneel. A portrait takes shape from a bended knee — and in that pause, the question that matters most goes unasked. JF Jerry D. Fife, M.Ed. Co-Founder, ProTect Athletics | Director of … Continue reading “A Portrait from a Bended Knee”
Written by Jerry Fife
In the high-stakes world of modern sports, when an athlete goes down, the first question everyone asks is, “What happened?” Almost instantly, the focus shifts to the mechanism of injury—the precise, acute biomechanical event that caused tissue to fail. We analyze the moment a knee buckled into valgus collapse or the exact rotational force of a … Continue reading “The 5 Whys of Athletic Safety: How the DAS Curriculum Gets to the Root Cause”
Written by Jerry Fife
In the high-stakes world of industrial safety, engineers and site supervisors rely on a rigorous framework to keep workers alive known as the Hierarchy of Controls. This system is the industry standard for risk management, prioritizing hazards by beginning with the physical removal of danger and ending with the most critical, yet most vulnerable, layer: … Continue reading “The Final Barrier: Reimagining Athletic Equipment as PPE”
Written by Jerry Fife
A ProTect Athletics Safety Briefing for Parents and Coaches In the world of youth sports, we often equate “better gear” with “better safety.” As parents and coaches, we want to believe that if we buy the $600 helmet or the latest padded accessory, we are shielding our athletes from brain injury. However, the science of … Continue reading “The Uncomfortable Truth: Why No Helmet Can “Prevent” a Concussion”
Written by Jerry Fife
By ProTect Athletics At ProTect Athletics, our mission is to advocate for the safety of everyone involved in the world of athletics by providing the data needed to make informed decisions. We do not seek to influence the dismissal or use of any specific product; rather, we aim to highlight the complexities that arise when … Continue reading “The Integrated Safety System: Why “Add-Ons” Are Creating Friction in Football Safety”
Written by Jerry Fife
Beyond the Symptoms: Disentangling Root Cause and Mechanism in Athletic Injuries Athletic injuries are an unfortunate reality, but our ability to prevent and effectively treat them hinges on a deeper understanding than just the immediate pain. We need to distinguish between the “why” and the “how”—the root cause and the mechanism of the injury. While … Continue reading “Beyond the Symptoms: Disentangling Root Cause and Mechanism in Athletic Injuries”
Written by Jerry Fife
Beyond “It Just Happened”: Unpacking the Mechanism of Athletic Injuries We have all heard the phrase, “I just twisted it,” or “It just gave out.” While these descriptions might convey the immediate sensation of an athletic injury, they barely scratch the surface of how the injury occurred. Understanding the mechanism of an athletic injury – … Continue reading “Beyond “It Just Happened”: Unpacking the Mechanism of Athletic Injuries”
Written by Jerry Fife
Athletic injuries are an unfortunate reality for many who push their physical limits. While the immediate pain and visible symptoms are undeniable, truly understanding and preventing these setbacks requires digging deeper – beyond the surface-level ache to identify the underlying root causes of injuries. It is a complex puzzle, but by examining various contributing factors, … Continue reading “Beyond the Ache: Unearthing the Root Causes of Athletic Injuries”
Written by Jerry Fife
The Meaning of Being a Coach The role of a coach is a profound one, extending far beyond the realm of mere instruction and guidance. It’s a position that requires crafting a nurturing environment, where athletes feel supported, empowered, and motivated to push beyond their perceived limits. This environment is the foundation upon which growth, … Continue reading ““Call me Coach” “
Written by Jerry Fife
Exploring the Gaps in the Testing Process and the Impact of Cold Weather on Helmet Performance The unyielding quest for the perfect football helmet has been a burning issue, especially with the advent of the Virginia Tech helmet rating system. This system has emerged as a beacon of hope, providing a crucial benchmark for evaluating … Continue reading “Decoding the Virginia Tech Helmet Rating System”
