Play It Cool™ is a skill enhancement program of the Canadian Spinal Research Organization’s Shoot For A Cure campaign, which aims to reduce the incidence of neurotrauma (concussion and spine) injuries in hockey.
The Play It Cool™ website is an online platform uniting hockey programs from across North America to ultimately promote a safer more effective game of hockey. This combined approach teaches coaches, parents and kids that skill enhancement and education is the key to injury prevention.
What components of Play It Cool™ separate it from other programs?
Scientific Research
Play It Cool™ is a comprehensive program supported by proven scientific research, both the production of the Practice Playing Games Manual and the Online Learning Management Modules
Over the past 4 years our research group has been charged with the responsibility to develop and evaluate a program to assist coaches in teaching safer hockey behaviours to players at the minor level.
The program is an evolution of an original skills based booklet and CD package.
The researchers approached the development of the Play It Cool ™ project using a stage-gate model, consisting of three major stages:
- The development of a program of safe hockey preparation, - The delivery of the program, and - The assessment of the methods of implementation and perceived effectiveness of the program.
Online Safety Platform
The Play It Cool™ website is the ultimate destination for information surrounding the prevention, detection and management of concussions and spinal injuries in hockey for parents, coaches and players
Play It Cool™ pools information from a variety of partners within the community to provide a wide range of information sources for users
Kids can log on to learn about their favourite NHL players, while enjoying fun, interactive activities that will encourage a safer, more effective brand of hockey!
Online Learning Management Modules
An 8-week e-learning course where coaches learn through shared learning – the coach is guided through the curriculum by expert facilitators and supported through a community of online learning with fellow coaches.
Coaches can join a community of coaches, exchange tips and create best learned practices through the facilitated e-learning modules.
The Envoy Program
A Play It Cool™ ambassador who has sustained a spinal cord injury while playing hockey visits minor league teams and hockey camps to speak about their injury, how it could have been prevented, and the Play It Cool™ program.
The goal of the Envoy is not to scare players, coaches and parents, but to arm the audience with useful tips and strategies to keep kids safe on the ice.
Practice Playing Games Manual
Presents an opportunity to connect with minor hockey league coaches in your community
The Practice Playing Games Manual contains 60 small area games developed to build hockey skills and on–ice awareness
The manual empowers players while motivating and promoting enjoyment and healthy competition
Compact design allows for portability
Branding opportunity with option for customized cover, colours and inserts
Coaching management system, including a erasable rink board on the back cover
Who Supports Play It Cool™?
The Canadian & American Spinal Research Organization
The Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation
Lakehead University
The Trillium Foundation
The Toronto Maple Leafs
Ontario Hockey Federation
Think First
How can you Play It Cool™? For more information, please contact:
