Protection Beyond the Game
Written by Jerry Fife
The human body is designed to adapt. It responds to load. It gets stronger under stress. This is not a coaching philosophy or an opinion; it is the fundamental law of biomechanics. We seem to have forgotten this. In our rush to protect athletes and workers, we try to engineer the stress away. We build … Continue reading “The Illusion of Armor: When Safety Equipment Becomes the Hazard”
Written by Jerry Fife
You have seen it a thousand times. A player goes down. The whistle blows — or maybe it doesn’t, because everyone on both sides of the field has already stopped. Helmets come off. Teammates drop to one knee. Fans rise slowly from their seats. Coaches pace. Medical staff run. The world pauses. In that silence … Continue reading “A Portrait from a Bended Knee”
Written by Jerry Fife
In athletic departments across the nation, “Safety” is often treated as a seasonal transaction. We verify the line items, purchase the five-star rated helmets, invest in the latest supplemental impact caps, and consider the box checked. There is a comforting, yet dangerous, assumption that because the invoice is paid, the athletes are protected. However, a … Continue reading “The Cost of Complacency: Why Your “Safety Budget” Is Failing Your Athletes”
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
ProTect Athletics Thought Leadership, Youth Athletic Safety By Jerry D. Fife, M.Ed. • ProTect Athletics Nobody WasResponsible How one family’s tragedy revealed a structural failure that runs through every youth athletic program in America, and what we built to fix it. Jerry D. Fife, M.Ed. • Co-Founder & COO, Athletic Safety Organization dba ProTect Athletics … Continue reading “Nobody Was Responsible”
Written by Jerry Fife
We often view youth sports and clubs through the lens of “keeping kids busy.” While true, the deeper reality is that these organizations—4-H, Scouting, and youth athletics—serve as the primary training grounds for the professional and personal “grit” required in adulthood. They are not merely extracurriculars; they are laboratories for human development where the “dry … Continue reading “The Silent Architects: How Youth Organizations Forge the Modern Leader”
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
Concussions in youth sports have become a significant concern in recent years, with increasing awareness of their potential long-term effects on young athletes. This issue requires careful attention from parents, coaches, and medical professionals to ensure the safety and well-being of young participants in various sports. Understanding Concussions in Youth Sports Concussions are a form … Continue reading “Concussions in Youth Sports: A Growing Concern”
Written by Jerry Fife
The National Football League (NFL) recently announced Guardian Caps will be allowed during the upcoming season, a decision sparking conversations and strong opinions among players, teams, and regulatory bodies. This move has far-reaching implications for player safety, performance, and the future of America’s most popular sport. By examining the perspectives of the NFL, players, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE), and helmet manufacturers, we can gain a nuanced understanding of the impact and complexities of this change.
ProTect Athletics was created to help disseminate information to inform and educate all levels of individuals with safety concerns in athletics. We advocate for the safety of all involved in the world of athletics. We will not try to influence your use or dismissal of any product, practice, or procedure. We will help to provide all the data needed for you to make an informed decision that is best for you, your athlete(s), your staff, your program or even your child.
This change will have a trickle-down effect to all levels of athletics, is this the best option for you?
