About the National Center for Sports Safety
The National Center for Sports Safety (NCSS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing injuries and promoting healthful participation in sports for athletes of all ages. Founded in 1998, the center brings together researchers, clinicians, coaches, parents, and policymakers to create evidencebased solutions that keep athletes safe while preserving the joy of competition.
NCSS operates from its headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, but its reach extends across the United States and into international collaborations. The organization conducts research, develops educational tools, and works directly with schools, leagues, and governing bodies to embed safety into the culture of sport.
Mission, Vision, and Core Values
Mission: To protect athletes by reducing preventable sportsrelated injuries through research, education, and advocacy.
Vision: A world where every athlete can participate safely, with injuries minimized and recovery supported.
Core Values
- ScienceBased: All recommendations are grounded in rigorous research and peerreviewed evidence.
- Collaboration: Partnerships with medical professionals, coaches, and community leaders are essential.
- Equity: Safety resources are made accessible to all athletes, regardless of socioeconomic status.
- Transparency: Open communication about risks, benefits, and best practices.
- Prevention First: Emphasizing proactive measures rather than reactive treatments.
Key Programs and Initiatives
1. Safe Play Guidelines
NCSS publishes sportspecific safety manuals that cover equipment standards, warmup protocols, concussion management, heat illness prevention, and injuryreporting procedures. These guidelines are freely available to coaches, athletic trainers, and parents.
2. Concussion Awareness Campaign
Concussions are a leading cause of sportsrelated emergency department visits. The campaign provides:
- Interactive elearning modules for coaches and athletes.
- Returntoplay checklists aligned with the latest medical consensus.
- Community workshops that train parents to recognize early signs.
3. Heat Illness Prevention
Through the CoolDown initiative, NCSS partners with highschool athletic departments to implement heatstress monitoring, hydration stations, and scheduling adjustments for outdoor sports.
4. Youth Sports Safety Grants
Each year NCSS awards competitive grants to organizations that develop innovative safety programs for youth leagues. Grant recipients receive up to $25,000 for equipment purchases, training sessions, and data collection.
Success Story: The 2023 grant to a Midwest Little League resulted in a 40% reduction in shoulder injuries over two seasons.
5. Research & Data Hub
NCSS maintains a publicly accessible database of injury statistics, allowing researchers to explore trends across age groups, sports, and geographic regions. The hub also hosts downloadable datasets for academic use.
Resources for Athletes, Coaches, and Parents
All resources are available at ncss.org/resources and include:
- Printable safety checklists for football, soccer, basketball, and more.
- Mobile app SportSafe that logs training load, symptoms, and hydration.
- Webinars on topics such as Managing Heat Stress in Summer Sports and Safe ReturntoPlay after Concussion.
- Infographics for quick reference in locker rooms and gymnasiums.
- FAQs addressing common myths (e.g., Hard helmets eliminate concussion risk).
For educators, NCSS offers a certified Sports Safety Coach program that provides continuing education credits.
Contact & Get Involved
If you would like more information, collaborate on a project, or volunteer, please reach out:
- Email: info@ncss.org
- Phone: (800) 5550123
- Mailing Address: 3000 Sports Safety Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46202
Follow us on social media for the latest safety alerts and educational content:
- Twitter: @NCSSafety
- Facebook: NCSSafety
- Instagram: @NCSSafety
Join the movementhelp make every game a safe game.
