Improving the Diagnosis of Potential Concussion Victims in American Football through Hampel Tackling Criterion

Abstract

This study takes a look at form tackling within American Football. The Hampel Tackling Criterion (HTC) metric was created as a tool to help coaches, trainers, players, and others involved with the sport, identify potential tackles that could have resulted in head injuries. After completion of a HTC analysis, a final score is reported and will identify the hit as either Low, Medium, High, or of Very High Risk. Twelve participants were shown eleven different videos and asked to analyze them using the HTC. Between the participants, there was 61% overall agreement of where the tackles should be ranked (in terms of risk level). These findings solidify the HTC as a useful tool for people of all backgrounds in identifying tackles that could have resulted in a head injury.