Concussions: Coaches, Referees and Board

Members Keeping Kids Safe

Workshop 604

Keeping Kids Safe• What are we looking for?• Steps to keep kids safe• Available Resources

Concussion Awareness

What is a concussion?• A serious brain injury that can cause death.

• The result of a blow to the head or body causing the rapid movement of the head.

What can cause a concussion?

• Can be result of a blow to the head or body causing the rapid movement of the

head.

What does one look like?

What steps should be taken?

By Referees? •Blow whistle; stop play. •Look for signs/symptoms. •Call Coach on field.• If safe, have the player leave the field for observation for signs/symptoms. •Never move an unconscious player. Call Emergency Medical services immediately.

What steps should be taken?

By Coaches? •Look for sign/symptoms. Ask player how he/she feels.•For hard hits, falls, allow player to take a small break to see if any sign/symptoms develop.• If symptom free, the child wants to play and parents agree child is symptom free, may allow player to play.• If signs/symptoms are observed, player must not be allowed to play for the remainder of the day.

What steps should be taken?

After the player re-enters the game?•Look for sign/symptoms. Check with the player on how he/she feels periodically.• If signs/symptoms are observed, Referee/Coach must remove the player from play.•Player must not be allowed to play for the remainder of the day. •Parents should be given a Concussion Information Sheet, Participation Release form, SAI information.

AYSO/CDC Action Plan

Know the danger signs

• Loss of consciousness.• Convulsion or seizures.• Vomiting or nausea.• Slurred speech.• One pupil larger than the other.• Confusion, drowsiness, numbness.• Severe headache or head pressure.

When can a player continue?

• Who decides?

• Can the decision change?

When in doubt, sit them out.

Parent Information

Concussion Awareness

Participation Release

Key Notes

• When required by State Law, parents must obtain a medical clearance in addition to completing the Participation Release Form.

• Any player who exhibits any sign/symptom of a concussion and is removed from play, may not return to play for the remainder of that day.

Safety Directors

The Region Safety Director must receive:• an AYSO Incident Report• signed Participation Release• copy of the signed Player Registration

Form• copy of any SAI claim formwhenever a player is removed from play due to signs/symptoms of concussion. Fax/email forms to insuranceclaims@ayso.org.

A few final notes…

• Small number of reported concussions on Incident Reports over the last few years.

• Most commonly described incidents occurred with player-on-player contact or from fall to the ground.

• No proven protective headgear. Do not sponsor or endorse any type of protective headgear.

• Need to work together to put safety first.

It’s all for the Kids