Concussion Policy

Concussion Management Protocol 

 NOW FC has developed a protocol for managing concussions that includes a multidisciplinary approach involving initial evaluation, physician referral for further neurocognitive testing and evaluation and clearance that includes successful completion of sport-related activities. An athlete that has been sustained a suspected head injury or diagnosed with a concussion will be required to pass all the  components involved in the concussion management protocol in order to return to sport activity. 

Concussion Recognition 

Although you can’t see a concussion, an athlete with any change in behavior, thinking or physical  functioning after a blow to the head or body should be suspected of having a concussion. An athlete  does not have to lose consciousness to have sustained a concussion and may have any number of  symptoms 

You may notice that the athlete: 

• Appears dazed or stunned 

• Is confused 

• Forgets plays 

• Is unsure of game, score or opponent • Exhibits unsteadiness 

• Moves clumsily 

• Answers questions slowly 

• Loses consciousness 

• Can’t recall events before or after the injury • Is more sleepy or tired than usual • Seems sad, nervous, or anxious 

• Is irritable, easily frustrated or upset • Has problems with school performance 

Seek medical attention immediately at the nearest Emergency Room if the following signs and symptoms occur: 

• Slurred Speech 

• Seizures 

• Sudden decreased or loss of  consciousness 

• Irregular pulse or respiration 

Suspected concussion and removal from play 

• Headache increasing in intensity • Nausea or vomiting 

• Unequal/Dilated pupils 

• Blurry/Double vision 

Early recognition of a concussion is crucial to the recovery process. Any student-athlete suspected of a  concussion should immediately be removed from play and evaluated. Given the variability in  presentation of concussion, a proper sideline assessment objectively evaluating multiple areas of 

neurological functioning is recommended. Should the evaluation suggest a concussion, the student athlete should not be permitted to return-to-play. Immediate removal from activity has been shown to  decrease recovery time as well as reduce the severity of acute symptoms. Immediate removal is the  first step in potentially preventing prolonged recovery. 

Notification Process 

When an athlete has received a suspected concussion at a [ORGANIZATION] practice or game, the  parents will be notified as quickly as possible by the responding medical personnel or coach. Every  concussion occurring during a [ORGANIZATION] practice or game must be documented via an incident  report by the responding medical personnel or coach. Concussions that occur to outside of official  practices and games must be reported to the [ORGANIZATION] within 24 hours of occurrence. 

On-site Evaluation 

 If a head injury is suspected during an athletics practice or game, a sideline concussion evaluation will be  conducted by an athletic trainer, sideline physician, or a coach (symptom evaluation only) in the absence  of appropriate medical personnel. If the athlete exhibits any head injury symptoms or is suspected to  have sustained a head injury, they will not be permitted to return to play that day, NO EXCEPTIONS. Parents will not be permitted to “sign off on” their child returning to practice or a game if a concussion  is suspected. Athletes with suspected head injuries should be given home instructions, parents  communicated with (if applicable), and directed to follow-up with a physician specializing in concussion  diagnosis and management (MD, DO, Neuropsychologist). 

Physician Referral 

Athletes suffering a concussion are encouraged to visit a physician or specialist specifically trained in  evaluating and managing concussions to receive proper care for a concussion. All athletes must have a  physician’s (MD, DO, Neuropsychologist) written clearance to proceed prior to starting a graduated Return to Play protocol. 

Return to Play 

A Return to Play Progression protocol will be administered once an athlete has obtained written  clearance to proceed from a physician. The protocol should at minimum, be a 5-day process because no  more than one step can be completed in a 24-hour period. Upon completion of the protocol, a final  clearance/release from the treating physician will be required to return to full practice and/or  competition.