Washington Youth Soccer

WHAT IS A CONCUSSION?
A concussion is a brain injury that:
 

Is caused by a bump or blow to the head
Can change the way your brain normally works
Can occur during practices or games in any sport
Can happen even if you haven’t been knocked out
Can be serious even if you’ve just been “dinged” 
 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION?

Headache or “pressure” in head

Nausea or vomiting

Balance problems or dizziness

Double or blurry vision

Bothered by light

Bothered by noise

Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy

Difficulty paying attention

Memory problems

Confusion

Does not “feel right”

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• WHAT TO DO IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW, THINKS THEY HAVE A CONCUSSION?

Tell your coaches and your parents. Never ignore a bump or blow to the head even if you feel fine. Also, tell your coach if one of your teammates might have a concussion.

Get a medical checkup. A doctor or health care professional can tell you if you have a concussion and when you are OK to return to play.

Give yourself time to get better. If you have had a concussion, your brain needs time to heal. While your brain is still healing, you are much more likely to have a second concussion. Second or later concussions can cause damage to your brain. It is important to rest until you get approval from a doctor or health care professional to return to play.
 

To read the full law, Click Here.

• Shall adopt policies for the management of concussions in youth soccer. Shall ensure that all coaches (paid or volunteer) are educated in the nature and risk of concussions  prior to the first practice/competition. This education shall include signs and symptoms of concussions. Resources for this education are available below in both English and Spanish. Shall annually require all players and the parent(s)/guardian(s) of those players to sign and return an informed consent form relating to the nature and risk of concussions. This information sheet shall include the signs and symptoms of concussions and can be found by clicking here. Shall ensure that any player showing signs or symptoms of concussion is removed from participation/competition immediately, and not allowed to return to play until they have written clearance from a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion.Shall submit a Compliance Statement for HB 1824, Youth Sports-Head Injury Polices to the School District when using School District facilities along with proof of insurance.  Click here for the compliance form. 

• Shall be educated as to the nature and risk of concussion including continuing to play after concussion or head injury. This education shall include signs and symptoms of concussions. Education materials are available below at no charge.Shall educate their athletes on the signs and symptoms of concussion and encourage athletes to notify a coach if they or a teammate exhibits those signs or symptoms.Shall immediately remove from participation/competition any athlete who is suspected of sustaining concussion.  Shall not allow an athlete who has been removed from play because of a suspected concussion to return to play until the athlete has received written clearance from a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion.

• Shall annually review, sign and return to the Washington Youth Soccer Club in which their child plays for, an informed consent form on concussion prior to the youth athlete's initiating practice or competition. This informed consent form can be found by clicking here.

• Shall annually review, sign and return to the Washington Youth Soccer Club in which they play for, an informed consent sheet on concussion prior to initiating practice or competition. Athletes are encouraged to notify a coach if they or a teammate exhibit signs or symptoms of a concussion.

• Medical Doctors (MD)
• Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)
• Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP)
• Physicians Assistant (PA)
• Licensed Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC)