Strasburg Midget Football League

Concussion Mitigation, Awareness and

Return to Play Policy

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Policy Statement

  1. Strasburg Midget Football League recognizes the potential danger and long-term health consequences of concussions, as well as understanding the difficulty in diagnosing these types of injuries. SMFL is committed to reducing concussions, educating coaches, parents, and players on concussion recognition, and developing a safe return to play policy.

To that end, this policy outlines the following areas:

  1. Required education for ALL coaches, in ALL divisions
  2. Evaluation standards for concussions
  3. Requirements for returning to play
  4. Reporting requirements for diagnosed concussions

This policy is for coaches, parents, and players. SMFL realizes there is no way to eliminate the risk of concussions completely from the sport, the goal of this policy is to mitigate that risk and raise awareness.

  1. Required education for coaches

All coaches will be required to successfully complete the Concussion Safety Training provided by the SMFL on a yearly basis. This training program will be instructed by a competent trainer and will cover concussion recognition, removal criteria, and return to play guidelines.

  1. Evaluation standards for concussions

A player who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice, game, or competition shall be removed from play immediately and properly evaluated. If a qualified medical professional is on site and available to render such an evaluation, that person shall always have final authority as to the return to play of the participant. If a qualified medical professional is unavailable, the head coach will make the determination based on the criteria covered in the Concussion Safety Training. When the parent of the injured player is serving as the head coach, the final authority on removal of the participant shall rest with the SMFL President, Sr. Vice President, a Vice President; whomever is present and highest in the SMFL chain of command. Any SMFL participant who has been removed from practice, play or competition due to a head injury or suspected concussion may not return to SMFL activities until the player has been evaluated by a currently licensed medical professional trained in evaluating and managing concussions, receives a written clearance to play from that licensed practitioner, provided the head coach with a copy of the written clearance, and the clearance is filled with the SMFL Board.

SMFL recommends that all decisions be made in the best interest of the children and that when any doubt exists, no matter how minor, the player sits out.

  1. Requirements for returning to play

After the written clearance to play has been filed with the SMFL board, the player must follow the four (4) step plan below to return to play.

  1. Light exercises to increase heart rate (stretch and warm up)
  2. Non – Contact drills
  3. Full contact drills
  4. Return to game play

Rules for the four (4) step plan: At least 24 hours for each step in the plan. Progression will only take place if there are no symptoms reported the following day. If a problem develops, return to the previous step and immediately contact a physician.

4. Reporting requirements for diagnosed concussions

All concussions must be reported immediately to a SMFL board member and the participant’s parent / guardian. Parents will also be required to report any concussion not related to football activities with SMFL.

Strasburg Midget Football League will provide a written copy of this policy to a parent / legal guardian of any child participating in practice, game, or competition. SMFL will obtain the signature of that parent / legal guardian acknowledging they have read, understand, and agree to abide by the policy before the child will be able to participate in any practice, game, or competition.

Strasburg Midget Football League

Concussion Mitigation, Awareness and Return to Play Policy

Parent Sign-off Form

I hereby certify that I have read, understand, and will abide by the Strasburg Midget Football League’s Concussion Mitigation, Awareness, and Return to Play Policy. In signing this document, I am bound tofollow the policy with my child. I will alert the head coach or a member of the board in the event of a head injury suffered outside of SMFL activities. My child will not return to play until a doctor’s note is filed with the SMFL Board and the four step process is complete.

Sign:______Date:______

Print Name:______

Players Name(s):______

Strasburg Midget Football League

Concussion Mitigation, Awareness and Return to Play Policy

Parent Sign-off Form

I hereby certify that I have read, understand, and will abide by the Strasburg Midget Football League’s Concussion Mitigation, Awareness, and Return to Play Policy. In signing this document, I am bound to follow the policy with my child. I will alert the head coach or a member of the board in the event of a head injury suffered outside of SMFL activities. My child will not return to play until a doctor’s note is filed with the SMFL Board and the four step process is complete.

Sign:______Date:______

Print Name:______

Players Name(s):______