John Gallagher, Jul. 30th 2019

Seattle, WA — July 30, 2019 — Atavus, the leader in football coach education and tackling assessment, announced today that they have been selected by the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) as the official and exclusive tackling certification partner. Beginning with the 2020 season, GISA is mandating tackling certification through Atavus for all GISA member school coaches. GISA’s decision builds on a national movement for tackling education that started in 2018 with the University Interscholastic League in Texas requiring all 23,000 football coaches in the state to successfully complete certification through Atavus.

“The intent of our new Tackling Certification Mandate is to improve the sport of football through implementation of better tackling techniques,” said Dr. Jeff Jackson, president of GISA. “Our partnership with Atavus allows us to be proactive in providing GISA Coaches with the resources and training for safer, more effective tackling.”

Atavus began training coaches in July 2019 at the GISA Coaches Clinics. Certification for GISA interscholastic member school coaches will be offered beginning in November through subsequent in-person presentations and an online examination certification process. Every GISA interscholastic member school coach must be certified by August 1, 2020, with an annual renewal. Coaches who successfully complete certification will receive access to Atavus’ Digital Tackling Academy that includes tools needed to implement a shoulder-led tackling technique that is both safer and more dominant than traditional tackling techniques. By mandating coach certification on tackling techniques GISA joins Texas’ University Interscholastic League and the Texas High School Coaches Association at the forefront of a movement to make football safer without sacrificing dominant on-field performance.

“From the beginning of our conversations, everyone at Atavus has been impressed with GISA’s determined leadership to make the game safer for players,” said Karen Bryant, CEO of Atavus. “These Georgia coaches will join tens of thousands of other coaches across the country using Atavus technique to help play a more effective and safer game of football.”

Coaches from Georgia and other states interested in learning about Atavus coaching and training programs may learn more at https://www.atavus.com.

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About Atavus

Atavus provides a modern, impactful solution for coaches at all levels of football to improve performance and safety in tackling. Atavus has developed the first and most comprehensive system rooted in technique and fundamentals using innovative, detailed analytics. Atavus measures performance and offers consulting services to provide coaches on-site and remote assessment, coupled with specific tackle plans backed by advanced technology. Learn more at https://www.atavus.com.

About Georgia Independent School AssociationGeorgia Independent School Association (GISA) is a non-profit association of private, independent, and parochial schools throughout the state. The mission of GISA is to advance excellence and collaboration among Georgia’s independent schools by serving the professional growth, advocacy and interscholastic needs of member schools. Each member school is unique, while sharing a unified commitment to overall excellence as well as to the nurture and care of the physical, intellectual, social and moral development of all students.