Increase player safety by reducing the risk of helmet-to-helmet contact without sacrificing skill development.
Levels of Contact focuses on varying intensity levels throughout practices to build player confidence, ensure their safety and prevent both physical and mental exhaustion.
Five intensity levels are used to introduce players to practice drills which position them to master the fundamentals and increase skill development.
- Air– Players run a drill unopposed without contactIntensity- Drill is run against a bag or another soft-contact surface
- Control– Drill is run at assigned speed until the moment of contact; one player is pre-determined the ‘winner’ by the coach. Contact remains above the waist and players stay on their feet.
- Thud– Drill is run at assigned speed through the moment of contact; no pre-determined “winner.” Contact remains above the waist, players stay on their feet and a quick whistle ends the drill.
- Live Action – Drill is run in game-like conditions and is the only time that players are taken to the ground.