Concussion in Youth Sports

All WYSA coaches are required to take the Massaschusetts Youth Soccer Association mandated concussion training before coaching credentials can be issued. 

Parents should also take the CDC concussion training in order to familiarize and understand the signs, symptoms, and recovery for a concussion.  The training takes approximately 30 minutes.

CDC Heads Up website

Concussion awareness is becoming an important aspect of youth and school sports. Massachusetts has enacted laws prohibiting student athletes suspected of having suffered a concussion from returning to competition or practice until medically cleared. School districts and schools must have programs governing the prevention and management of sports-related head injuries. The following information was taken from the CDC's Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports website. Links for additional information can be found at the end of this article including checklists that you can print out and keep on your clipboard as a reference.

If you suspect a player has a concussion remove them from the game or practice, notify the player's parents and recommend they have their player evaluated by a physician. See below for symptoms.

Concussion Facts

• A concussion is a brain injury
• As many as 3.8 million sports and recreation related concussions occur in the US each year
• All concussions are serious - it is not just getting your bell rung!
• Concussions are caused by a bump or blow to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull
• Most concussions occur without loss of consciousness
• A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain recovers from the first can slow recovery or increase the likelihood of having long-term problems

Recognizing a Concussion

• A forceful blow to the head or body that results in rapid movement of the head AND anychange in the athlete’s behavior, thinking, or physical functioning

Signs and Symptoms
Any of the following systems that you notice or that the player may report indicate a possible concussion! The player does not have to be knocked unconscious.

If you Suspect a Concussion

• Remove the athlete from play for the remainder of the game or practice
• Notify the parents about a possible concussion
• Suggest the parents contact their physician
• It’s better to miss one game than the whole season! Playing with a concussion is dangerous.

Urgent Symptoms
The following require Immediate Medical Attention

• Weakness, numbness or decreased coordination
• Repeated vomiting or nausea
• Slurred speech
• One pupil larger than the other
• Convulsions or seizures
• Cannot recognize people or places
• Lose consciousness

• CDC's Heads Up website http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.html
• CDC On-line Concussion training https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/resources/training.html
• Coaches Fact Sheet http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/pdfs/youthsports/coaches_engl.pdf
• Coaches Clipboard Reference Sheet http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/pdfs/youthsports/clipboard_eng.pdf