Jeremy Lee is a certified Player Safety Coach (PSC) and RYA’s Tackle Football Commissioner. He earned his PSC certification through the USA Football's Heads Up Initiative and has been the acting Tackle Football Commissioner for the past 8 years.
Commissioner Lee has been involved with RYA for over 14 years as a parent, coach, board member, commissioner, and PSC. He coached South Lakes High School football from 2011-2015. In addition to his RYA responsibilities, Commissioner Lee coaches travel youth basketball through Reston Youth Basketball League (RYBL) and AAU youth basketball through Man II Man. He is also one of RYA’s representatives in the Reston Sports Council that is working to improve the Reston athletic community.
Commissioner Lee has been a Reston resident for over 22 years, raising his three sons in the community. His hobbies include podcasting, graphic design, and movie watching. You may run into him at the Reston Town Center Bow Tie Cinema as he is an avid movie goer.
Fun Fact: Commissioner Lee is NOT the guy on the wall at M.O.D. Pizza in Reston!
RYA and HEADS UP FOOTBALL
RYA is proud to be part of USA Football. Heads Up Football is the only nationally accredited program created using input from both football experts and health professionals. The Heads Up Football program provides youth football a comprehensive solution for a better, safer game. RYA coaches are educated and certifiedthrough USA Football. All RYA coaches are required to earn certification and appear on the USA Football National Coaching Registry. Heads Up Football focuses on three key elements to enhance player safety: Heads Up Tackling, Equipment Fitting, and Concussion Awareness.
- Heads Up Tackling: RYA coaches have adopted Heads Up Tackling, a step-by-step protocol to teach the core principles of tackling setting a new standard in player safety. Progressive levels of contact, fundamental drills, and common language across age and skill levels focus on reducing helmet contact. Safety, teaching, and learning under controlled practice drills are the foundation of Heads Up Tackling.
- Equipment Fitting: Players MUST have properly fitted helmet and shoulder pads. RYA has equipment managers trained to properly fit players with the safest equipment available. Helmets must be securely strapped under the chin. During the season, parents and players should care for equipment and report any issues with fit or function of their child’s helmet and pads. Haircuts and other changes may require equipment to be refit throughout the season.
- Concussion Awareness: All concussions are serious. Recognition and proper response when they occur is the best way to prevent lasting damage. RYA is committed to player safety above all else. No one technique or piece of equipment is 100% effective in prevention of injury. RYA’s standard in player safety is WHEN IN DOUBT, SIT THEM OUT. Players with a suspected concussion will be immediately removed from play or practice, parents will be notified, and the player will remain out until cleared by a health care professional. Rest is essential to recovery. Cleared players may return under the progressive return to activity program.
RYA is committed to providing your child the safest, most positive football experience possible.
