Guide to Keep Kids Safe On and Off the Field

Keeping kids safe is a top priority and fundamental piece of our mission to get more kids involved in sports

National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) is a youth safety advocacy group and leading background screening provider that serves youth sports and civic organizations and national governing bodies across the country.

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Presented by

Trish Sylvia, co-founder of NCSI shares how using today's technology can simplify and enhance safety in youth sports

Not Created Equal–Understanding Differences in Background Checks and their Role in Keeping Children Safe

October 05, 2020

Do Your Part to Help Keep Children Safe - Understanding the Importance of Background Checks
What Are Maryland CJIS Background Checks Missing?

October 18, 2021

What a CJIS background check won’t uncover for your Maryland youth sports organization
Background Screening - Your First Line of Defense

September 29, 2022

Of the 60 million youth athletes throughout the United States, up to an estimated 4.8 million may be victims of sexual abuse…

Sport Injury and Prevention Guides

The National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS) seeks to train and educate coaches, educators and family members to ensure that young people participate in a safe environment so they get all of the benefits associated with youth sports. Read more by NCYS

Football Sports Tips Hero Image from PDF

Regardless of position, football players should consider have their technique examined sports medicine professional.

Lacrosse Sports Tips Hero Image from PDF

Regardless of position, lacrosse players should consider have their technique examined sports medicine professional.

Regardless of position, ice hockey players should consider have their technique examined sports medicine professional.

Regardless of position, soccer players should consider have their technique examined sports medicine professional.

Softball Sports Tips Hero Image from PDF

Regardless of position, softball players should consider have their technique examined sports medicine professional.

Volleyball Sports Tips Hero Image from PDF

Regardless of position, volleyball players should consider have their technique examined sports medicine professional.

Basketball Sports Tips Hero Image from PDF

Regardless of position, basketball players should consider have their technique examined sports medicine professional.

Baseball Sports Tips Hero Image from PDF

Regardless of position, baseball players should consider have their technique examined sports medicine professional.

Building a Safer Future for Youth Sports

Promote safer sports settings with these resources and articles from the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

Parents, coaches, and sport and recreation administrators can take cues from our policies aimed at preventing abuse in and around sport.

Athletes Come First at Chaparral Wrestling Club

Watch this short story for a firsthand account of how the U.S. Center for SafeSport has supported Chaparral Wrestling Club in fostering a positive environment for anyone who gets on the mat.

Tips to Help Sports Leaders Build Inclusive Environments

To get the best out of your team or organization, you should create a dynamic that helps every athlete feel safe, supported, and strengthened.

What Sport Administrators Should Know: Policies That Prevent Abuse

Discover why building policies to prevent abuse and strong safety rules are critical for any sport organization.

Learn how this new podcast will help you take action to reduce bullying’s prevalence and impact as we recognize National Bullying Prevention Month.

Coaches: to Build Team Trust, Tune in to Your Athletes’ Moods

Coaches: Caretakers of Character Do sports build character in young athletes, or simply reveal it? Learn how our latest podcast can help you assess.

As School Starts, Parents Can Pave the Way for Hard but Honest Discussions

As school begins and teams form, these 5 tips will help parents be prepared to talk with their child about abuse in and around sport.

You can be a champion! Join 1.1+ million parents, coaches, and more working together to end abuse in sport by getting SafeSport® Trained.

Learn the tips to help intervene if you notice bullying take place, a practice known as Bystander Intervention.

Can you tell judo from taekwondo? Test your savvy with these 9 questions about Olympic and Paralympic sports.

Image of young man and his son playing basketball

Listen to the 'Champion in Every Corner' podcast to learn how parents can stay informed and protect their children from abuse and neglect in sports.

Three ways coaches and parents can bring age-appropriate mental health dialogue to the field of play.

Get the Gold Standard of Background Checks

Protect your athletes, families, and organization with industry-leading background checks from the National Center for Safety Initiatives

Protect your athletes

Concussion Care and Prevention

All time ready to run. Runner sleep in comfort run shoes

Getting a good night's sleep after a sports-related concussion might lead to a shorter recovery time in adolescents

A hockey player may have a concussion after a check from an opposing player.

To reduce the likelihood of players lying so they can stay in the game, be sure to emphasize the importance of honesty and how the number one priority is their long-term safety.

Why is Rest Important After a Concussion thumbnail

Find out 10 ways to to help athletes combat a negative team concussion culture

What is Post Concussion Syndrome thumbnail

It’s important to educate both athletes and parents about the facts

Portrait of senior chiropractor consult sports athlete's neck injury.

Coaches should also give information to the parents regarding the signs and symptoms of concussion so they can monitor their child at home.

A concussed soccer player seeks help at the doctors office

What actions can an organization take to reduce their liability?

After so many years of high profile news around concussions it is encouraging to see scientific evidence about reducing the risk of head impacts in ice hockey.

Study shows about 300,000 youth athletes suffer concussions each year

Kids Don't Know About Concussion thumbnail

More Safety Articles

How can coaches, trainers, and parents take action to prevent injuries headed into sports seasons? Find out with these five tips.

Watch this short story for a firsthand account of how the U.S. Center for SafeSport has supported Chaparral Wrestling Club in fostering a positive environment for anyone who gets on the mat.

Coach_Background_Checks_in_Youth_Sports_large

Tips for helping your youth sports organization find a background check that meets your standards.

Gun violence has club owners and directors devising new ways to keep kids safe

Trish Sylvia, co-founder of NCSI shares how using today's technology can simplify and enhance safety in youth sports

Young coach teaching kids on football field.

Here are 9 simple tips for ensuring that your players are emotionally and physically safe in their sport.

Image of happy friends on the grass with balls looking at camera

Player safety is becoming an increasingly vital aspect of youth sports.

Running Youth Football Players. Kids Playing Football Soccer Game on Sports Field. Boys Play Soccer Match on Green Grass. Youth Soccer Tournament Teams Competition.

What a CJIS background check won’t uncover for your Maryland youth sports organization

SportsEngine and SafeSport partner to make safety the top priority in youth sports.

Make sure your organization isn't cutting corners on background screenings.

Hear experts from USA Lacrosse, USA Artistic Swimming, and the U.S. Center for SafeSport discuss the future of youth athlete safety and how all of us can make a difference.

Listen to the 'Champion in Every Corner' podcast to learn how parents can stay informed and protect their children from abuse and neglect in sports.

Safety Essentials of USA Football’s League Excellence Program

Abstract view from the goal of a girls lacrosse game as the goalie prepares to pass the ball to one of her team mates.

Keeping its athletes safe when not supervised by their parents or guardians is a top priority for US Lacrosse

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Presented by

How Technology Can Reshape The Way We Look at Safety in Youth Sports

April 30, 2020

Not Created Equal–Understanding Differences in Background Checks and their Role in Keeping Children Safe

October 05, 2020

What Are Maryland CJIS Background Checks Missing?

October 18, 2021

Background Screening - Your First Line of Defense

September 29, 2022

Sport Injury and Prevention Guides

Football Injuries and Prevention

April 14, 2022

Lacrosse Injuries and Prevention

April 14, 2022

Hockey Injuries and Prevention

April 14, 2022

Soccer Injuries and Prevention

April 14, 2022

Softball Injuries and Prevention

April 14, 2022

Volleyball Injuries and Prevention

April 14, 2022

Basketball Injuries and Prevention

April 14, 2022

Baseball Injuries and Prevention

March 28, 2022

Building a Safer Future for Youth Sports

Promoting Safer Youth Sport Settings

March 07, 2022

Athletes Come First at Chaparral Wrestling Club

January 19, 2023

Tips to Help Sports Leaders Build Inclusive Environments

December 07, 2022

What Sport Administrators Should Know: Policies That Prevent Abuse

October 13, 2022

How To Prevent Bullying, On and Off the Field

October 13, 2022

To Build Team Trust, Tune in to Your Athletes’ Moods

September 01, 2022

As School Starts, Parents Can Pave the Way for Hard but Honest Discussions

August 09, 2022

SafeSport® Training Puts You in Play to Support Athlete Safety

July 12, 2022

If You See Something, Do Something!

July 01, 2022

Go for Gold—and Name That Sport!

May 26, 2022

Tips for Parents on Keeping Children Safe in Sport

April 26, 2022

Mental Health: How To Be A Team Player

April 20, 2022

Get the Gold Standard of Background Checks

Concussion Care and Prevention

Good Sleep Quality Helps Youth Concussion Recovery

November 05, 2018

Common Signs and Symptoms of Concussions

November 05, 2018

Why is Rest Important After a Concussion?

December 08, 2020

The Top 10 Reasons Players Don't Report a Concussion

November 25, 2020

What is Post Concussion Syndrome?

December 08, 2020

Concussion Protocol Explained: How Does It Work?

January 07, 2020

Concussion Myths Parents and Athletes Should Know

February 03, 2020