Concussion Protocol

Concussion Protocol and Information

Pursuant to Florida Statute 943.0438, all coaches, volunteers, youth participants and parent/legal must be informed and educated on the nature and risk of head injury, including the risk of continuing to play after concussion or head injury, before participating in athletic competition or engaging in any practice, tryout, workout, or other physical activity associated with the youth's candidacy for an athletic team. Storm Select Lacrosse achieves this process through our onlline registartion system a waiver/acknowledgement process. Furthermore, all coaches and volunteers are requiered to take a concussion education course annually via the NFHS Resource Center.

A concussion is a brain injury, and all brain injuries are serious. They are caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or by a blow to another part of the body with the force transmitted to the head. Concussions can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works. Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and may result in complications including prolonged brain damage and death if not recognized and managed properly. In other words, even a ding or a bump on the head can be serious. You cannot see a concussion and most sports concussions occur without loss of consciousness. Signs and symptoms of concussion may show up right after the injury or can take hours or days to fully appear. If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms or signs of concussion yourself, seek medical attention right away.

Signs and Symptoms Observed by Parents or Coaches

Appears dazed or stunned.

Forgets an instruction, is confused about an assignment or 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.

Cannot recall events prior to or after a hit or fall.

Symptoms Reported by Youth Participants

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.

What can happen if my child keeps on playing with a concussion or returns too soon?

Youth participants with the signs and symptoms of concussion must be removed from play immediately. Continuing to play with the signs and symptoms of a concussion leaves the youth participant especially vulnerable to greater injury. There is an increased risk of significant damage from a concussion for a period of time after that concussion occurs, particularly if the youth participant suffers another concussion before completely recovering from the first one (second impact syndrome). This can lead to prolonged recovery, or even to severe brain swelling with devastating and even fatal consequences. It is well known that adolescent or teenage athletes will often under report symptoms of injuries, and concussions are no different. As a result, education of administrators, coaches, parents and players are the key for youth participant's safety.

If you think your child has suffered a concussion

Seek and obtain medical evaluation! No athlete may return to activity after an apparent head injury or concussion, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear, without written medical clearance from a Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) who is familiar with the close observation of the youth participant should continue for several hours. Parent/Legal guardian should also inform their child's coach if they suspect their child may have a concussion. Remember it is better to miss one game than miss the whole season. When in doubt, the youth participant sits out!

Return to Practice and Competition

Storm Select Lacrosse follows Florida Statute 943.0438, which provides that if an athlete suffers, or is suspected of having suffered, a concussion or head injury during a competition or practice, the youth participant must be immediately removed from the competition or practice and cannot return to practice or competition until a Health Care Professional has evaluated the youth participant and provided a written authorization to return to practice and competition. Storm Select Lacrosse recommends that a youth participant not return to practice or competition the same day the athlete suffers or is suspected of suffering a concussion. Storm Select Lacrosse also recommends that a youth participant's return to practice and competition should follow a graduated protocol under the supervision of the health care provider (MD or DO).

CLICK HERE FOR RECTURN TO PLAY AUTHORIZATION FORM

Concussion Resources

USA LACROSSE CONCUSSION AWARENESS