The "Heads Up, Don't Duck" Initiative for Safer Hockey

Through the “Heads Up, Don’t Duck” initiative, the Mayo Clinic aims to teach hockey players valuable techniques to play the game safer and prevent spinal cord injuries. Check out the below video to see the Clinic’s recommendations. Click here to read more about Heads Up, Don’t Duck on the Mayo Clinic’s website.

Update on Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 8:17AM by Minutes for Memories

Check out this related article arguing that rules against excessive aggression in hockey can lead to fewer injuries. Dr. Michael Cusimano, neurosurgeon and expert on sport-related brain injuries, advocates the widespread implementation of the Fair Play Program, which considers sportsmanship in league ranking and tournaments. According to Dr. Cusimano, “Given that brain injuries are so common and that they can have permanent effects, we need to introduce measures that we known have been shown to work to reduce the numbers of children and youth suffering these injuries in sport. Rule changes essentially alter the culture of a sport and clearly define acceptable behavior for players, coaches, parents, and officials.” 

Working to remove high-risk behaviors, such as hits to the head, board checks, and checks to the back, from the hockey culture can make the sport safer for the children that play.

See this article and more from Dr. Cusimano here on MedicalXpress.com: “Rules Limiting Aggression Should Reduce Hockey Injuries”