Concussion Rule

******Concussion Update******
All players, parents and coaches are required to sign the notices of new concussion guidelines. These forms can be printed out and handed in at equipment pickup. Forms will also be available on-site. Forms must be collected to receive equipment. It is a State Mandate to have these forms on file, we apologize for any inconvenience. Complete the set of 3 for EACH PLAYER.

Injury Protocol for 2013 Season: Injuries and returning to play: If your child becomes injured and seeks professional medical advice, they will need to have in writing from the medical professional that they are cleared to play with no restrictions. If they are not cleared to resume play, they will need in writing when they can play and if there are any restrictions to when they can resume. Players will not be allowed to resume practices or play in games without written clearance from their medical professional. Players are expected to attend practices while injured to continue the learning process unless advised otherwise by their medial professional.

Following is the press release on 2010 high school football rules changes as approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football Rules Committee and the NFHS Board of Directors.

Concussion Rule Revised, Strengthened in High School Football

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Bob Colgate
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (February 23, 2010) Effective with the 2010 high school football season, any player who shows signs, symptoms or behaviors associated with a concussion must be removed from the game and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional.

The concussion rule was one of 12 changes approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football Rules Committee at its meeting last month in Indianapolis. The rule changes subsequently were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

The previous rule directed officials to remove an athlete from play if "unconscious or apparently unconscious." The previous rule also allowed for return to play based on written authorization by a medical doctor. Now, officials are charged with removing any player who shows signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion, such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance problems, and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional.

"Given that the vast majority of concussions do not include a loss of consciousness, but that athletes often show obvious evidence of concussion, the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) strongly believes that officials must continue to be empowered to remove these athletes from play, thus protecting them from further injury," said Dr. Michael Koester, chair of the SMAC. ?Continued participation in any sport following a concussion can lead to worsening concussion symptoms, as well as increased risk for further injury to the brain and even death.

"The safety of the athlete is of paramount concern during any athletic contest. Officials, coaches and administrators are being asked to make all efforts at ensuring that concussed athletes do not continue to participate. Thus, coaches, players and administrators should also be looking for signs of concussion in all athletes and should immediately remove any suspected concussed athlete from play."