™ Ice Hockey’s Warning Track ™ Ice Hockey’s Warning Track The ™, ice hockey’s warning track; is an adjunct to decreasing the risk of head and neck injuries. The ™ does NOT affect the speed, intensity or heritage of the game of hockey, or require any new playing rules directed at players! The ™ is a thought provoking warning track extending 40 inches in width around the entire circumference of the rink. The ™ serves to, 1. Warn players to keep their heads up to prevent head and neck injuries, 2. Warn players to be careful not to body check (contact) opposing players from behind, 3. Allow players enough time to make proper bodily adjustments before hitting the boards, 4. Alleviate the failure to warn (board related) issue that currently exists in hockey, 5. Remind on ice coaches and ofMicials to continue to warn players about safety in hockey. At four miles per hour (walking speed), players going into the boards with their heads down can sustain an axial loading fracture of a cervical vertebra. The fractured vertebra can then lacerate the spinal cord. The ™ is a PREVENTATIVE approach to making the game of hockey safer for participants of all ages WITHOUT affecting the speed, intensity, heritage or additional rule changes! The Look Up Line™ warning track is colored a PANTONE 151c SAFETY ORANGE. This color orange does not interfere with any current on ice markings and is universally associated with caution. The 40 inch Look Up Line™ does not overlap any face-­‐off dots, lower circles, or hash marks. Football: -­‐In 1974 the NFL moved goalpost to the back of the end zone. -­‐In addition, it is required that players and coaches stand 5 yards back from the Mield of play. Basketball: -­‐The NBA installed padded L-­‐shaped framing posts to ensure player safety. -­‐Players, coaches and fans are required to sit at least 3-­‐5 feet back from the court of play. Baseball: -­‐In July 1949 Major League Baseball implemented a warning track ranging 10-­‐15 feet around the perimeter of the Mield. Swimming: -­‐All Olympic size pools have a black line on the bottom of the pool in each swimming lane. These lines end roughly 6’-­‐6” before the end wall. These modiMications all have one thing in common: They give participants an opportunity to pick up their heads and make proper bodily adjustments before making contact with the boards. Thank you for taking the time to learn about The ™. Thomas E. Smith [email protected] www.justcureparalysis.org