CONTINUE TO RECONDITION EQUIPMENT

Stick to the Normal Reconditioning Schedule Many coaches are under the false assumption that they can skip this year’s reconditioning of helmets and shoulder pads if the season is shortened or postponed. With the spread of the virus hanging over all of us, it has never been more important to stick to the recommended schedule.

NAERA (National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association) is an association of athletic equipment reconditioners whose mission is to increase awareness and acceptance of high quality athletic equipment reconditioning / recertification. Particular emphasis is directed towards reducing the risk of injury for athletic event participants. Members are licensed by NOCSAE to recertify football equipment.

NAERA Executive Director Tony Beam recently joined FNF Coaches to discuss the importance of reconditioning during the pandemic. f Why is it necessary to get helmets and equipment reconditioned even if there is no fall season?

“I think the biggest misunderstanding about reconditioning is it’s broken down to two parts. There’s the reconditioning part, but there’s also the sanitization part. More now than ever before, it’s important because of the COVID outbreak. As we continue to learn more about how the virus is spread, the sanitization of equipment is more important than ever.” f And that extends beyond the helmets, doesn’t it?

“The part that a lot of schools skip is that all of the pads need to be sanitized. Most pieces of equipment are not re-certifiable but they certainly can be sanitized. A lot of shoulder pads aren’t sanitized by sub-varsity programs. Junior high programs don’t often send shoulder pads to be reconditioned. At the youth level, they don’t send them out.”

f The normal guidelines state that schools should recondition helmets and other equipment once a year. Should coaches be doing it even more now?

“Most states offer return-to-play guidelines. You can look at what each district has put together for a return to play. Daily sanitization is always good, particularly on blocking shields, footballs and other equipment that’s getting used by multiple players. It makes a ton of sense to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and keep equipment clean.” f What does the sanitization process entail?

“Whether it’s shoulder pads or a helmet, the padding is taken out. Then it’s cleaned in temperaturecontrolled water and detergent. Certain equipment is submerged. The process generally follows the manufacturer’s guidelines. There are some college teams that use ozone treatments. Put it in the locker room and it helps kill bacteria.” f Is there a specific time of year that you recommend for reconditioning?

“It should be done at the end of the season. I’d recommend doing it whenever the season is over, but if you can do it more, I definitely would.” f Where can coaches go to get more information on reconditioning?

“All of the recommendations can be pulled off www.naera.net. One of the things we recommend after each practice period ends is to make sure the equipment is working properly and getting cleaned.” f And it goes without saying that players should never be sharing equipment?

“Fit is a very important part of making sure your equipment is working correctly -- without saying anything about the bacteria.”

Clean Equipment with the Sports-O-Zone Gear Blaster

THE GEAR BLASTER IS

a steel structure with a control unit made of ozone generators and features 40 air drying ports or tubes that supply warm air or ozone to sanitize gear and facilities. The ports may be turned on/off by row and they come with adaptors to allow access to dry and sanitize such hard-toreach areas as the toe box of footwear.

■ Locker Room

Odor is a huge concern in all locker rooms and points to bacterial growth. Sanitizing your locker room with ozone helps eliminate these odors, and more importantly, significantly reduces the threats of MRSA and Staph.

■ Equipment

Ozone ranks ahead of hydrogen peroxide, iodine and bleach in sanitizing capabilities, and has no residue. Apply ozone directly to equipment or turn your equipment storage room into an ozone chamber.

■ Facility

Minimize the risk of infection by treating the whole facility. Great for equipment, weight and training rooms, as well as wrestling/gymnastic workout areas.

Chris Bunting Milbrook High (N.C.)

@bunting36

Wyatt Tuggle West Noble High (Ind.) @tuggle_55

Augie Tieri Danbury High (Conn.)

@CoachTieri

Leaders Leading

Teams all over the country resumed some aspect of football – mostly conditioning drills – in July and August. Coaches all over the country set an example for their players by wearing masks for workouts. We asked our FNF Coaches Twitter audience to share their photos coaching in masks.

Robie RobbinsRockport-Fulton High (TX)

@txcoachrob

DJ Pittel Central High (Mo.) @MinOfOffense

Dave Bosko Akron Springfield (Ohio) @SpartanPrideFB

Sam London J.P. McCaskey High (Pa.) @mccaskey_ jpfb

Thomas Wilkes Greer High (S.C.) @Twilkes13