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Concussions

By P.L.A.Y., 02/11/22, 8:30AM CST

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Not just a "bell-ringer" anymore

Concussions are a serious medical issue that has recently gained national awareness in youth sports.  The State of Minnesota passed legislation in 2011 that requires all leaders involved in youth sports to complete a concussion awareness training module administered by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  This training is mandatory for all coaches, assistant coaches, referees, and other leaders in our organization including directors and VPs that are not currently coaching.

Key points about concussions for our players and parents:

  • Any blow to the head should be taken seriously and coaches, parents or referees may pull a player from a game at any time if a head injury occurs.  This is not up to the player. Since parents usually watch their child more than others and know their mannerisms better than others - be sure to have them removed from game if you anticipate something is wrong.
  • Any player that shows any concussion symptoms should see their doctor immediately and before any further participating in PLAY activities
  • Baseline concussion testing is highly recommended for youth athletes (available from most pediatricians for a fee) and improves the ability to diagnose and treat concussions should they occur. These baseline tests can also be done through local St. Francis or Fairview clinics or hospitals.