PURPOSE

To outline procedures to prevent head injury and properly intervene when one is suspected.

SCOPE & APPLICABILITY

This policy applies to all activities occurring at PTSC or PTSC approved facilities. This policy is adapted from USYS and USCLUBSOCCER.org.

For the purposes of this policy, an APPROVED individual is one whom has obtained proper clearances, completed SAFESPORT training and has completed the US SOCCER RECOGNIZE TO RECOVER initiative OR CDC Heads Up training..

1.     A concussion is a brain injury that interferes with normal brain function. Concussion results in a constellation of physical, cognitive, emotional and sleep related symptoms.

2. Concussion should be diagnosed and evaluated by medical professionals.

3. In the event that no medical professional is present during training or match play, the coach, his/her assistant(s), team manager or other APPROVED sideline personnel
will need to explore the possibility of a head injury.

a.       Under no circumstances will a coach or sideline personnel argue with a referee who requires an athlete to leave the field to be examined for possible head injury.

b.       If a head injury is suspected, a player must leave the field

4. It is understood that adults participating in the sport are looking to protect the athletes. A player may be sent off from a collision or event, but not have a concussion.

5. If the following symptoms are observed, a player MAY NOT reenter play. Please contact the parent as soon as possible:

a.       Dazed look or confusion about what happened

b.       Memory difficulties

c.       Neck pain, headaches, nausea, vomiting, double vision, blurriness, ringing noise or sound sensitivity.

d.       Short attention span. Can’t keep focused.

e.       Slow reaction time, slurred speech, body movements lagging, fatigue and slowly answers questions or has trouble answering questions.

f.        Abnormal physical or mental behavior.

g.       Coordination skills are behind, ex: balancing, clumsiness, reaction time

6. If the following symptoms are observed, a medical emergency is occurring. Call 911, then contact a parent:

a. Spine or neck injury or pain

b. Behavior patterns change, cannot recognize people/places, less responsive

c. Loss of consciousness

d. Headaches that worsen during evaluation or while on the sideline

e. Seizures

f.  Very drowsy, Cannot be awakened

g. Repeated vomiting

h. Increasing confusion or irritability

i. Weakness, numbness in arms and legs

No player may return to practice or play in either #5 or #6 scenarios without a signed letter from their physician.

The following steps will be taken to reduce the chance of a head injury occurring:

7. In the event that a player’s head makes contact with another player’s body, the ground, the goal or a ball being shot or cleared while unprepared, head or neck injury may occur. Remove the player for evaluation.

8. Players in U-11 programs and younger shall not engage in heading either in practices or games.

9. There will be limited heading in practice for players in U-12 and U-13 programs. These players will be limited to a maximum of 30 minutes of heading training per week and no more than 15-20 headers per player, per week. There are no heading restrictions in games.

10. A 10 year old playing at U-12 should not head the ball at all.

11. An 11 or 12 year old playing at U-14 or older should abide by #9.