Football coaches at Texas high schools and junior high schools will begin training in July to teach safe tackling techniques as part of a statewide effort to curb teen concussions. Texas will be the first state in the U.S. to implement the tackling certification program that is mandatory for all football coaches, according to a press release from the University Interscholastic League. Seattle-based Atavus Sports will oversee and administer the certification process. "Being from Texas and a former football coach in the state, this means a lot to me," said Rex Norris, head of football for Atavus Sports. "A dominant tackle is a safer tackle, and we are excited to get to work helping coaches teach tackling techniques that will benefit their players and improve their team's performance.” McKinney ISD Athletic Director Shawn Pratt said MISD coaches have been through three hours of training and will go through the UIL Coaches Certification Program over the course of the 2018-19 school year. Coaches must complete the training by Aug. 1, 2019, Pratt said. Part of the training includes a "best practices in tackling" section that suggests players use their shoulder to tackle rather than their head for safety reasons, Pratt said. UIL Executive Director Charles Breithaupt said the UIL Legislative Council sees the mandatory training as a way to improve the game. "The UIL Legislative Council was overwhelmingly in favor of supporting this measure," Breithaupt said in the release. "We view the addition of a mandatory tackling certification for football coaches as a positive educational extension that will ultimately improve the game and the welfare of our students."