Athlete health & safety
Forms
Head
Heat
Heart
Nutrition
Forms
The Brighton Bulldogs Football & Cheer (BBFC) organization provides an outstanding environment for Brighton area youth to experience the game of football. Our program strives to provide exemplary coaching in the skills and techniques necessary to excel at the game but also help to build young men and women of quality character. Our program is part of the Kensington Valley Youth Football Conference (KVYFC), which defines the basic rules and guidelines we operate under.
Brighton is regarded as one of the best competitive cheer programs in Southeast Michigan, and our success at competitions in recent years, earning Grand Champs in many levels, continues to place us among the ones to watch! BBFC Cheer is both a sideline and competition cheer program, meaning athletes cheer at football games each week and also compete in a league cheer competition at the end of the season. They work on their competition routines from the start of the season until competition day. BBFC Cheer starts at 1st grade and goes through 8th grade.
Concussion Guidelines
"Any athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the contest and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health care professional."
Heat Safety
Dehydration occurs when the body looses too much fluid. Dehydration impairs athletic performance whenever body fluid level falls below 98% of normal. The primary cause of dehydration is sweat loss, an essential body process which facilitates the release of body heat into the environment. When athletes don’t replace what they lose in sweat, the physiological function of the body’s heat management system is compromised, placing both the athletes’ performance and physical well-being at risk.
Nutrition Safety
Nutrition is often overlooked as a potential competitive edge possibly because it is poorly understood. It has been shown that proper eating before exercise improves performance. It is also important to be well hydrated before the exercise session. Too many athletes head off to school without eating breakfast, lunch may be a slice of pizza. At this point they, with very little fuel in their system, are not prepared to be their best at game time or even practice.

Health & Safety
BBFC Puts Player Safety First
- Player health and safety are the top priority across all practices and games
- Continuous investment in new technology, training, and protocols to protect athletes
Advanced Helmet Impact Studies
- In 2016, BBFC Partnered with Riddell and The CORE Institute to equip helmets with impact sensors
- Data contributes to ongoing research to better understand football safety
Certified & Trained Coaching Staff
- First program in Livingston County (since 2012) to require USA Football certification
- Training includes:
- Safe Tackling Practices
- Proper Head Placement
- Concussion Prevention/Recognition
- Response Protocols
- First Aid and CPR Training
- League Wide Heat and Hydration Protocols
- Annual recertification ensures coaches stay current on best practices
- Program developed in partnership with the CDC
On-Field Medical Preparedness
- Minimum of (4) Coaches certified in first aid present at every practice
- At least 1 certified individual present at every game
- Certification provided through the American Red Cross
Safer Tackling Techniques
- Implementation of USA Football’s “Heads Up” tackling system
- Teaches players to tackle without leading with the head
- Proven to reduce helmet-to-player contact and improve safety
Open Communication
- Board members are always available to answer questions about safety policies and procedures
Concussion Prevention
New Youth Football Concussion Policies Emphasize Prevention, Education
Equipment Fitting and Concussion Awareness
10 Ways We Implement Safer Play
Heads Up Football Training Decreases Concussion Rates
- BBFC uses Riddell Revolution Speed helmets, one of only 4 to achieve a 5-star rating through Virginia Tech's 2013 helmet study. These helmets are completely reconditioned every 2 years as recommended by Riddell. To read Virginia Tech's study results, click here.
- BBFC has processes in place to ensure we are compliant with Michigan law that mandates documentation of suspected concussions and medical approval to return to play after a suspected concussion.
