Eastchester Blue Devils Concussion Policy
WHAT IS A CONCUSSION?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI— caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. This fast movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging the brain cells.
Every staff must have at least one member, preferably the Head Coach, complete the CDC’s Heads Up Concussion Training. All teams must also have a staff member carry the entire team’s medical release forms and emergency numbers for all participants in case in an emergency their parent(s) or guardian must be reached. Having the family physician’s number opposite the participant’s name is recommended.
HOW CAN I SPOT A POSSIBLE CONCUSSION?
Athletes who show or report one or more of the signs and symptoms listed below—or simply say they just “don’t feel right” after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body—may have a concussion or other serious brain injury.
SIGNS OBSERVED BY COACHES OR PARENTS Appears dazed or stunned. Forgets an instruction, is confused about an assignmentor position, or is unsure of the game, score, or opponent Moves clumsily. Answers questions slowly. Loses consciousness (even briefly). Shows mood, behavior, or personality changes. Can’t recall events prior to or after a hit or fall.
| SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY ATHLETES Headache or “pressure” in head. Nausea or vomiting. Balance problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision. Bothered by light or noise. Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy. Confusion, or concentration or memory problems. Just not “feeling right”, or “feeling down”.
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NOTE: Concussion signs and symptoms often show up soon after the injury, but it can be hard to tell how serious the concussion is at first. Some symptoms may not be noticed or may not show up for hours or days.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I THINK AN ATHLETE HAS A POSSIBLE CONCUSSION?
As a coach, if you think an athlete may have a concussion:
REMOVE THE ATHLETE FROM PLAY. When in doubt, sit them out!
KEEP AN ATHLETE WITH A POSSIBLE CONCUSSION OUT OF PLAY ON THE SAME DAY OF THE INJURY AND UNTIL CLEARED BY A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.
Do not try to judge the severity of the injury yourself. Only a health care provider should assess an athlete for a possible concussion. After you remove an athlete with a possible concussion from practice or play, the decision about return to practice or play is a medical decision that should be made by a health care provider.
As a coach, recording the following information can help a health care provider in assessing the athlete after the injury:
• Cause of the injury and force of the hit or blow to the head or body.
• Any loss of consciousness (passed out/knocked out) and if so, for how long.
• Any memory loss right after the injury.
• Any seizures right after the injury.
• Number of previous concussions (if any).
Let them know about the possible concussion and give them the HEADS UP fact sheet for parents. This fact sheet can help parents watch the athlete for concussion signs or symptoms that may show up or get worse once the athlete is at home or returns to school.
RETURN TO PLAY PROTOCOL
BASELINE | Athlete is back to their regular school activities, is no longer experiencing symptoms from the injury when doing normal activities, and has a green light from their health care provider to begin the return to play process. An athlete should only move to the next step if they do not have any new symptoms at the current step. |
STEP 1 | Begin with light aerobic exercise only to increase an athlete’s heart rate. This means about 5 to 10 minutes on an exercise bike, walking, or light jogging. No weightlifting at this point. |
STEP 2 | Continue with activities to increase an athlete’s heart rate with body or head movement. This includes moderate jogging, brief running, moderate-intensity stationary biking, moderate-intensity weightlifting (less time and/or less weight than a typical routine). |
STEP 3 | Add heavy non-contact physical activity, such as sprinting/ running, high-intensity stationary biking, regular weightlifting routine, non-contact sport-specific drills (in 3 planes of movement). |
STEP 4 | An athlete may return to practice and full contact (if appropriate for the sport) in controlled practice. |
STEP 5 | An athlete may return to competition. |
REMEMBER: It is important for you and the athlete’s parent(s) to watch for concussion symptoms after each day’s return to play progression activity. If an athlete’s concussion symptoms come back, or he or she gets new symptoms when becoming more active at any step, this is a sign that the athlete is pushing him- or herself too hard. The athlete should stop these activities, and the athlete’s health care provider should be contacted. After the okay from the athlete’s health care provider, the athlete can begin at the previous step.