Concussion Information - When in Doubt, Sit Them Out!
Concussion Information - When in Doubt, Sit Them Out!
1. Before a student may participate in practice or competition: At the beginning of a season for
a youth athletic activity, the person operating the youth athletic activity shall distribute a
concussion and head injury information sheet to each person who will be coaching that youth
athletic activity and to each person who wishes to participate in that youth athletic activity. No
person may participate in a youth athletic activity unless the person returns the information
sheet signed by the person and, if he or she is under the age of 19, by his or her parent or
guardian.
2. An athletic coach, or official involved in a youth athletic activity, or health care provider shall
remove a person from the youth athletic activity if the coach, official, or health care provider
determines that the person exhibits signs, symptoms, or behavior consistent with a concussion
or head injury or the coach, official, or health care provider suspects the person has sustained
a concussion or head injury.
3. A person who has been removed from a youth athletic activity may not participate in a youth athletic
activity until he or she is evaluated by a health care provider and receives a written clearance to participate
in the activity from the health care provider.
These are some SIGNS concussion (what These are some of the more common
others can see in an injured athlete): SYMPTOMS of concussion (what an injured
athlete feels):
Dazed or stunned appearance
Change in the level of consciousness or Headache
awareness Nausea
Confused about assignment Dizzy or unsteady
Forgets plays Sensitive to light or noise
Unsure of score, game, opponent Feeling mentally foggy
Clumsy Problems with concentration and memory
Answers more slowly than usual Confused
Shows behavior changes Slow
Loss of consciousness
Asks repetitive questions or memory concerns
Injured athletes can exhibit many or just a few of the signs and/or symptoms of concussion. However,
if a player exhibits any signs or symptoms of concussion, the responsibility is simple: remove them
from participation. “When in doubt sit them out.”
It is important to notify a parent or guardian when an athlete is thought to have a concussion. Any
athlete with a concussion must be seen by an appropriate health care provider before returning to
practice (including weight lifting) or competition.
RETURN TO PLAY
Current recommendations are for a stepwise return to play program. In order to resume activity, the
athlete must be symptom free and off any pain control or headache medications. The athlete should
be carrying a full academic load without any significant accommodations. Finally, the athlete must
have clearance from an appropriate health care provider.
The program described below is a guideline for returning concussed athletes when they are symptom
free. Athletes with multiple concussions and athletes with prolonged symptoms often require a very
different return to activity program and should be managed by a physician that has experience in
treating concussion.
The following program allows for one step per 24 hours. The program allows for a gradual increase in
heart rate/physical exertion, coordination, and then allows contact. If symptoms return, the athlete
should stop activity and notify their healthcare provider before progressing to the next level.
STEP ONE: About 15 minutes of light exercise: stationary biking or jogging
STEP TWO: More strenuous running and sprinting in the gym or field without equipment
STEP THREE: Begin non-contact drills in full uniform. May also resume weight lifting
hereby acknowledge having received education about the signs, symptoms, and risks of
sport related concussion. I also acknowledge my responsibility to report to my coaches,
parent(s)/guardian(s) any signs or symptoms of a concussion. I certify that I have read,
understand, and agree to abide by all of the information contained in this sheet. I further
certify that if I have not understood any information contained in this document, I have
sought and received an explanation of the information prior to signing this statement.
____________________________________________________________________
signature and printed name of student/athlete Date
______________________________________________________________________
signature and printed name of parent/guardian Date