Always.
Player safety is the foundation of everything we do at Westview Youth Football. Every coach is certified. Every protocol is followed. Every athlete is protected — from flag football all the way to varsity.
Westview Youth Football operates under the safety framework established by USA Football's Heads Up Football program and the Tualatin Valley Youth Football League. We exceed the minimum requirements to ensure every athlete has the safest possible experience.
- All coaches certified in Heads Up Football annually
- Dedicated Player Safety Coach on staff
- OSAA Medical Release required for all tackle players
- Baseline Concussion Test required for 7th & 8th grade tackle players
- Heads Up Tackling technique taught to all athletes
- Concussion recognition and response protocols in place at all games and practices
- Heat preparedness and hydration guidelines followed at all times
Youth football is safer than ever — and WYF is committed to keeping it that way. Modern coaching techniques, proper equipment fitting, and concussion awareness protocols have transformed the sport. We take every step to protect your athlete while giving them the full competitive experience they deserve.
- Heads Up Tackling removes the head from the point of contact
- Proper helmet and shoulder pad fitting reduces impact risk
- Concussion education helps coaches and parents identify symptoms early
- Oregon law requires medical clearance before any athlete returns after a concussion
- All coaches recertify annually — safety standards never expire at WYF
The Gold Standard
Heads Up Football® is USA Football's comprehensive player safety program — the sport's only nationally accredited coaching certification, developed in partnership with leading experts in medicine and sport. Every WYF coach completes this certification before coaching a single practice, and recertifies every year. The curriculum covers five core areas that together create the safest possible environment for young athletes.
Learn more at usafootball.com →The centerpiece of the program. Athletes are taught to tackle with their heads up and out of contact — a technique that significantly reduces the risk of head and neck injuries while maintaining effective play.
Safe, effective blocking technique with the head in a safe position. Athletes learn to generate power and control through proper body positioning rather than head-first contact.
CDC-developed resources help coaches and parents recognize concussion symptoms and respond correctly. Any athlete with a suspected concussion is immediately removed from play — no exceptions.
Proper helmet and shoulder pad fitting is critical for protection. All WYF coaches are trained to properly fit equipment and verify it meets safety standards before any athlete takes the field.
Developed with the Korey Stringer Institute at UConn, this curriculum ensures coaches recognize and respond to heat-related illness. Hydration protocols are followed at every WYF practice and game.
Heads Up Football certification is not a one-time event. All WYF coaches recertify every year through USA Football's accredited course to stay current with the latest safety standards and techniques.
All tackle football players must have a current OSAA Medical Release Form on file before participating in any contact drills. This form must be signed by a licensed medical professional — only the official OSAA form is accepted. No other form from your doctor will be accepted in its place.
- Download the official OSAA Medical Release form using the link below
- Take the form to your athlete's doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner for signature
- Forms are valid for 2 years — if your athlete had one on file last season and has not had a concussion, it may still be valid
- Mail the completed form to WYF at 3300 NW 185th Ave #276, Portland, OR 97229
In addition to the OSAA Medical Release, all 7th and 8th grade tackle players must complete a Baseline Concussion Test (BCT) before participating in contact drills. This is a non-invasive, online test that takes approximately 15–20 minutes and can be completed at home.
- Visit baselinetesting.com to complete the test online at home
- The test measures memory, processing speed, and reaction time to create a baseline
- If a concussion occurs during the season, this baseline is used to measure recovery
- If your athlete completed the BCT last season and has not had a concussion, it may still be valid — confirm with WYF
Oregon law (ORS 336.485, ORS 417.875) establishes strict requirements for how concussions are handled in youth sports. WYF follows every requirement — and goes beyond them.
- Headache or pressure in the head
- Nausea or vomiting
- Balance problems or dizziness
- Double or blurry vision
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Feeling sluggish, foggy, or groggy
- Concentration or memory problems
- Confusion or feeling "not right"
- Sleep disturbances (sleeping more or less than usual)
- Any athlete suspected of a concussion is immediately removed from play
- The athlete does NOT return to play or practice on the same day — Oregon law
- Parents are notified immediately
- A qualified health care professional must evaluate the athlete before return
- WYF coaches are trained in CDC concussion recognition through Heads Up Football
- If in doubt, sit them out — always
- Athlete must be symptom-free at rest
- Oregon law requires medical clearance from a qualified health care professional (MD, DO, PA, NP, or Psychologist)
- Athlete completes a graduated 6-step return-to-participation protocol
- Each step increases exertional demands before full contact is allowed
- For 7th & 8th grade players, baseline concussion test results are used to measure recovery
- Full return only when cleared by both a medical professional and WYF coaching staff
- OSAA Concussion Resources: osaa.org/health-safety
- CDC Heads Up: cdc.gov/headsup
- Oregon Concussion Program (OCAMP): cbirt.org/ocamp
- ImPACT Baseline Testing: impacttest.com
- WYF Safety Director: westviewyouthfootball@gmail.com
- A Parent's Guide to Concussions available at osaa.org/health-safety
Different programs have different safety requirements. Use this quick reference to know exactly what your athlete needs.
- Heads Up certified coaches
- OSAA Medical Release Form (all grades)
- Baseline Concussion Test (7th & 8th grade only ★)
- Proper helmet & pad fitting by coaches
- Heat & hydration protocols
- Concussion removal protocol
- Heads Up certified coaches
- OSAA Medical Release Form not required
- Baseline Concussion Test not required
- Flag belt and proper equipment fitting
- Heat & hydration protocols
- Concussion removal protocol
- Heads Up certified coaches
- OSAA Medical Release Form not required
- Baseline Concussion Test not required
- Flag belt and proper equipment fitting
- Heat & hydration protocols
- Concussion removal protocol
Sammie Weaver serves as Westview Youth Football's Safety Director — the dedicated point of contact for all player safety questions, concerns, and protocols. As a volunteer board member, Sammie works year-round to ensure WYF's safety standards meet and exceed all TVYFL and OSAA requirements. If you have any questions about safety requirements, concussion protocols, or your athlete's paperwork, Sammie is here to help.
Contact Safety Director →The national governing body for football in the United States. Home of the Heads Up Football program, coach certification, and player safety resources for parents and athletes.
usafootball.com →Oregon School Activities Association's complete health and safety resource hub — including the official OSAA Medical Release form, concussion management policies, and a parent's guide to concussions.
osaa.org/health-safety →The CDC's concussion education resource for coaches, parents, and athletes. Includes symptom checklists, fact sheets, and guidance on recognizing and responding to concussions in youth sports.
cdc.gov/headsup →Required for all 7th and 8th grade tackle players. This online test can be completed at home in 15–20 minutes and establishes a cognitive baseline used to measure recovery if a concussion occurs.
baselinetesting.com →The Oregon Concussion Awareness and Management Program at CBIRT — comprehensive resources for understanding and managing concussions in Oregon youth athletics.
cbirt.org/ocamp →The Tualatin Valley Youth Football League sets the safety and eligibility standards for all member programs including WYF. Visit the TVYFL website for league-wide safety rules and requirements.
tvyfl.com →