WYSC's Concussion Policy

Warrenton Youth Sports Club (WYSC) is committed to insuring the safety and well-being of players. In order to support the safety of its players the WYSC has provided policies and guidelines to deal with concussions regarding the identification and handling of suspected concussions. All members of the WYSC will be subject to the rules and guidelines contained within this policy guidance.

Effective January 1, 2015 all travel soccer players age 10 and up are required to have an Impact Test completed. 

A concussion is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Concussions can also occur from a fall or

blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. Even what seems to be a mild

bump to the head can be serious. It is important that coaches are aware of the signs and symptoms of a

possible concussion and take appropriate action to ensure the well-being of any player that has

experienced a head injury.

Observable signs of a concussion include the following:

Appears dazed or stunned

Is confused about events

Answers questions slowly

Repeats questions

Can’t recall events prior to hit, bump, or fall

Can recall events after a hit, bump, or fall

Loses consciousness (even briefly)

Shows behavior or personality changes

Forgets normal procedures

Thinking and Remembering/Physical and Emotional

Difficulty thinking clearly Headache or pressure in Head Irritable

Difficulty Concentrating Nausea or vomiting Sad

Feeling more slowed down Balance problems or dizziness More emotional

Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or Fatique Nervous

groggy Blurry or double vision

Sensitivity to light or noise

Numbness or tingling

Does not “feel right”

Drowsy

Sleeps less than usual

Sleeps more than usual

Has trouble falling asleep

All WYSC recreational and competitive program sports coaches, adult team managers and WYSC board members are required to complete the Heads Up Concussion in Youth Sports on-line training once every year. The course completion certificate will be submitted to the WYSC Director, or his designee, upon completion. The Director will maintain these documents in WYSC records for a period of five years. All coaches will be provided concussion fact sheets for distribution, and to carry with them. All coaches should encourage the parents of their players to also complete this training. The signs of a concussion may occur after the injury and outside the notice of coaches. Parents need to be aware to monitor their child for any potential symptoms.

When a head injury is suspected the player will immediately be removed from play. No athlete reporting or exhibiting any signs, symptoms, or behaviors that may be attributable to a head injury or concussion will be allowed to return to play until they have been medically cleared by a physician. Clearance must be provided to the WYSC Director in writing before a player will be allowed to resume play.

In cases where a concussion is suspected parents will be given a concussion fact sheet. This sheet will explain the signs and symptoms associated with concussions as well as WYSC’s policy requiring that a medical clearance be provided prior to the player returning to play.

Whenever there is suspicion of a head injury, the manager or coach of the team will document and report the injury to the WYSC Director, or his designee. When the player has been released to play by a physician, the parent will provide the documentation to the Director who will then notify the coach that the player is eligible to participate in practice/games.

Fact Sheets for parents and athletes...........PDF

Fact Sheet for Coaches.............PDF 

Coaches Sheet to carry at games/practices..............PDF

http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/Training/index.html

http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?101+ful+CHAP0483+pdf