It’s time for high schools and youth organizations across the United States to show their commitment to player health and safety through USA Football’s Heads Up Football program.

To help implement the highest standards in the sport, USA Football will host more than 300 Heads Up Football Player Safety Coach Clinics through September.

Nominated by their schools or leagues, Player Safety Coaches oversee the implementation of Heads Up Football within their communities. Along with taking and passing USA Football’s online certification course, the one-day PSC clinics instill the lessons of concussion recognition and response; heat preparedness and hydration; sudden cardiac arrest; proper equipment fitting; Heads Up Tackling; and Heads Up Blocking.

Led by USA Football Master Trainers, Player Safety Coach Clinics utilize classroom and on-field learning to give PSCs the knowledge they need to serve as Heads Up Football administrator, advancing coach and player development, participation and safety within the fun of the game and its values.

More than 6,500 youth organizations and 1,100 high schools signed up for Heads Up Football in 2015, each naming a Player Safety Coach.

SEE ALSO: Find a Player Safety Clinic near you

SEE ALSO: Sign up for the Heads Up Football program

SEE ALSO: Heads Up Football helps Idaho youth league lower injury rate, increase player and parent confidence

Heads Up Football is supported by more than three dozen leading medical and sport organizations, including the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine.

New for 2016

USA Football has restructured its PSC Clinics this year, incorporating more peer teaching and hands-on training. PSCs will engage with each other and gain practice with the instruction they will be leading at their leagues and schools.

Now designed in a four-hour format, the clinics will provide high energy and intensity to give PSCs the knowledge and confidence they need to lead.

“Since we started the program, PSC clinics have been gaining popularity,” Heads Up Football Coordinator Zak Zumbiel said. “We are excited about the new model and expanding the program. Veteran PSCs who have been through the process before will find new techniques and information to improve what they do.”

Also in 2016, USA Football is introducing instruction on roll tackling – also called Hawk tackling or rugby tackling – as an advanced skill at the high school level.

PSCs will then take that information back to their organizations, assisted by online USA Football's online resources designed to guide them as they put information into action.

“USA Football will continue to lead the culture of football coaching and bring best practices to every youth league and high school in the United States,” said Heads Up Football Manager Mike Haynes said. “USA Football is setting the gold standard and providing resources so that coaches are properly educated to make the right decisions at practices and games.

“USA Football will make you a better coach, make your practice plans better and expand your abilities to teach.”