Shenandoah Valley Youth Football League Concussion Mitigation ...
Shenandoah Valley Youth Football League Concussion Mitigation, Awareness and Return to Play Policy Policy Statement a. Shenandoah Valley Youth Football League (SVYFL) recognizes the potential danger and longterm health consequences of concussions, as well as understanding the difficulty in diagnosing these types of injuries. SVYFL 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. SFYFL 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 SVYFL or a league within SVYFL 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. Or Complete the online training available at http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/online_training.html Upon completion of the online course the certificate of completion must be submitted to the local board.
2. 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 President, Vice President, or executive board member whomever is present and highest in the local league chain of command. Any SVYFL participant who has been removed from practice, play or competition due to a head injury or suspected concussion may not return to SVYFL activities until the player has been evaluated by a currently
licensed medical professional. The player must provide a written clearance, and the clearance is kept on file with the local board before participation may resume. SVYFL 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. 3.
Requirements for returning to play After the written clearance to play has been filed with the local 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 local board member and the participant’s parent / guardian. Parents will also be required to report any concussion not related to football activities to the local board.
Shenandoah Valley Youth Football League / Local League will provide a written copy of this policy to a parent / legal guardian of any child participating in practice, game, or competition. The Local League 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. All SVYFL Leagues must have a copy of the CDC Parent/Athlete Concussion Information Sheet posted at all game/practice locations.
Licensed Health Care Provider: a physician, physician assistant, osteopath or athletic trainer licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine; a neuropsychologist licensed by the Board of Psychology; or a nurse practitioner licensed by the Virginia State Board of Nursing.
Local Leagues are defined as Strasburg Midget Football League, Woodstock-Edinburg Football Cheerleading League, Generals Youth Program, Luray Midget Football League, Front Royal Youth Football League, & Page Youth Football League. Local Executive Board Members are defined as the following: President, Sr. Vice President, Jr. Vice President, Secretary, Cheer Coordinator, Football Coordinator/Equipment Manager, or any other office which is elected by the majority of the people in the local league.
Shenandoah Valley Youth 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 Shenandoah Valley 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 SVYFL activities. My child will not return to play until a doctor’s note is filed with the Local Board and the four step process is complete.
Sign: ___________________________________________ Print Name:
Date:__________________
_____________________________________
Players Name(s):______________________________________________________________________
Shenandoah Valley Youth 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 Shenandoah Valley 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 SVYFL activities. My child will not return to play until a doctor’s note is filed with the Local Board and the four step process is complete.
Sign: ___________________________________________ Print Name:
Date:__________________
_____________________________________
Players Name(s):______________________________________________________________________
Required education for coaches All coaches will be required to successfully complete the Concussion Safety Training provided by the SVYFL or a league within SVYFL 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. Or Complete the online training available at http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/online_training.html Upon completion of the online course the certificate of completion must be submitted to the local board.
2. 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 President, Vice President, or executive board member whomever is present and highest in the local league chain of command. Any SVYFL participant who has been removed from practice, play or competition due to a head injury or suspected concussion may not return to SVYFL activities until the player has been evaluated by a currently
licensed medical professional. The player must provide a written clearance, and the clearance is kept on file with the local board before participation may resume. SVYFL 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. 3.
Requirements for returning to play After the written clearance to play has been filed with the local 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 local board member and the participant’s parent / guardian. Parents will also be required to report any concussion not related to football activities to the local board.
Shenandoah Valley Youth Football League / Local League will provide a written copy of this policy to a parent / legal guardian of any child participating in practice, game, or competition. The Local League 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. All SVYFL Leagues must have a copy of the CDC Parent/Athlete Concussion Information Sheet posted at all game/practice locations.
Licensed Health Care Provider: a physician, physician assistant, osteopath or athletic trainer licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine; a neuropsychologist licensed by the Board of Psychology; or a nurse practitioner licensed by the Virginia State Board of Nursing.
Local Leagues are defined as Strasburg Midget Football League, Woodstock-Edinburg Football Cheerleading League, Generals Youth Program, Luray Midget Football League, Front Royal Youth Football League, & Page Youth Football League. Local Executive Board Members are defined as the following: President, Sr. Vice President, Jr. Vice President, Secretary, Cheer Coordinator, Football Coordinator/Equipment Manager, or any other office which is elected by the majority of the people in the local league.
Shenandoah Valley Youth 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 Shenandoah Valley 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 SVYFL activities. My child will not return to play until a doctor’s note is filed with the Local Board and the four step process is complete.
Sign: ___________________________________________ Print Name:
Date:__________________
_____________________________________
Players Name(s):______________________________________________________________________
Shenandoah Valley Youth 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 Shenandoah Valley 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 SVYFL activities. My child will not return to play until a doctor’s note is filed with the Local Board and the four step process is complete.
Sign: ___________________________________________ Print Name:
Date:__________________
_____________________________________
Players Name(s):______________________________________________________________________
