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Concussion & Head Injury Policy Resources

Effective January 1, 2014, Tennessee Senate Bill 882, amending TN law regarding sports-related concussion and head injuries, became law.  A copy of Bill 882 is available here: TN Bill 882 Head Injury & Concussion Law 2013.pdf  

Tennessee State Soccer Association (TSSA), the state’s governing body for organized soccer in Tennessee, has adopted Policy 31, which in accordance with law establishes guidelines and other pertinent information and forms developed by the department of health as required by TN Code.  A copy of Policy 31 is available here:  TSSA POLICY 31.pdf

TSSA and NRSA know education is the key to identifying and treating youth athletes who show signs of a concussion during athletic participation. It is very important that every administrator, coach, parent, official, athlete and health-care professional know the symptoms and steps to take when dealing with student-athletes that display signs of a possible concussion. Concussion can be a serious health issue and should be treated as such. 

All Parents/Guardians are required by law to review the Concussion and Head Injury Information Sheet and then complete and sign a version of the Concussion Information Signature Form for Athletes and Parents/Legal Guardian that is included at the end of the Information Sheet.   The combined Information Sheet/Signature Form can be found here:

Concussion and Head Injury Info and Signature Form.pdf

Completion of the registration process by a parent or guardian on NRSA's electronic registration process requires confirmation that the parent/guardian completing the registration has reviewed the Concussion and Head Injury education below and that they understand  the symptoms and warning signs of a Concussion and Head Injury.
Because an electronic form of the Concussion Information and Signature Form is included electronically in the NRSA Online Registration process, a separate signed form is not needed, but all parents are required to read and understand the information contained in the Concussion and Head Injury Information Sheet before their player begins practicing and playing at the Grimes Complex. 

INFORMATION AND SIGNATURE FORM FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES & PARENTS/LEGAL GUARDIANS
(Adapted from CDC “Heads Up Concussion in Youth Sports”) 

Public Chapter 148, effective January 1, 2014, requires that school and community organizations sponsoring youth athletic activities establish guidelines to inform and educate coaches, youth athletes and other adults involved in youth athletics about the nature, risk and symptoms of concussion/head injury.

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that changes the way the brain normally works. A concussion is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung” or what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious.   

Did You Know? 
• Most concussions occur without loss of consciousness.
• Athletes who have, at any point in their lives, had a concussion have an increased risk for another concussion. 
• Young children and teens are more likely to get a concussion and take longer to recover than adults.  

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CONCUSSION? 
Signs and symptoms of concussion can show up right after the injury or may not appear or be noticed until days or weeks after the injury.
  
If an athlete reports one or more symptoms of concussion listed below after a bump, blow or jolt to the head or body, s/he should be kept out of play the day of the injury and until a health care provider* says s/he is symptom-free and it’s OK to return to play.
 SIGNS OBSERVED BY COACHING STAFF SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY ATHLETES 
 Appears dazed or stunned  Headache or "pressure" in head
 Is confused by assignment or position  Nausea or vomiting
 Forgets and instruction  Balance problems or diziness
 Is unsure of game, score or opponent  Double or blurry vision
 Moves clumsily  Sensitivity to light
 Answers questions slowly  Sensitivity to noise
 Loses Consciousness, even briefly  Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy or groggy
 Shows mood, behavior or personality changes  Concentration or memory problems
 Can't recall events prior to hit or fall  Confusion
 Can't recall events after hit or fall  Just not "feeling right" or "feeling down"

CONCUSSION DANGER SIGNS 
In rare cases, a dangerous blood clot may form on the brain in a person with a concussion and crowd the brain against the skull. An athlete should receive immediate medical attention after a bump, blow or jolt to the head or body if s/he exhibits any of the following danger signs: 
• One pupil larger than the other
• Is drowsy or cannot be awakened
• A headache that not only does not diminish, but gets worse
• Weakness, numbness or decreased coordination
• Repeated vomiting or nausea
• Slurred speech
• Convulsions or seizures
• Cannot recognize people or places
• Becomes increasingly confused, restless or agitated
• Has unusual behavior
• Loses consciousness (even a brief loss of consciousness should be taken seriously)  

WHY SHOULD AN ATHLETE REPORT HIS OR HER SYMPTOMS? 
If an athlete has a concussion, his/her brain needs time to heal. While an athlete’s brain is still healing, s/he is much more likely to have another concussion. Repeat concussions can increase the time it takes to recover. In rare cases, repeat concussions in young athletes can result in brain swelling or permanent damage to their brains. They can even be fatal.

Remember:  Concussions affect people differently.    While most athletes with a concussion recover quickly and fully, some will have symptoms that last for days, or even weeks.  A more serious concussion can last for months or longer.  

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU THINK YOUR ATHLETE HAS A CONCUSSION? 
If you suspect that an athlete has a concussion, remove the athlete from play and seek medical attention. Do not try to judge the severity of the injury yourself. Keep the athlete out of play the day of the injury and until a health care provider* says s/he is symptom-free and it’s OK to return to play.
 
Rest is key to helping an athlete recover from a concussion. Exercising or activities that involve a lot of concentration such as studying, working on the computer or playing video games may cause concussion symptoms to reappear or get worse. After a concussion, returning to sports and school is a gradual process that should be carefully managed and monitored by a health care professional.  

* Health care provider means a Tennessee licensed medical doctor, osteopathic physician  or a clinical neuropsychologist with concussion training. 

Contact

North River Soccer Association
 FIELDS: Cleveland T Grimes Soccer Complex, 4502 N. Access Road Chattanooga TN 37343 --
SEND MAIL TO: 5895 Union Springs Road Chattanooga, Tennessee 37415

Phone: 423-505-9451
Email: [email protected]

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