The Coach Sarna League - Concussion Awareness & Waiver:
A concussion is a brain injury, and all brain injuries are serious. They are caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or by a blow to another part of the body with force transmitted to the head. Concussions can range from mild to severe and can disrupt brain function. Even though most concussions are mild, they are potentially serious and may lead to complications such as prolonged brain damage or death if not properly recognized and managed. In other words, even a ‘ding’ or bump on the head can be serious. Concussions are often invisible and most occur without loss of consciousness. Symptoms may appear immediately or may take hours or days to fully manifest.
Policy and Safety Protocols:
In accordance with California Interscholastic Federation Bylaw 313, any athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury during practice or game must be immediately removed from competition and shall not return until cleared by a licensed healthcare professional. No athlete may resume activity after a suspected head injury, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms resolve, without proper medical clearance.
What to Do if Symptoms Appear:
If your child reports any symptoms of a concussion, or if you notice signs yourself, seek medical attention right away.
Common Symptoms include:
- Headaches
- ‘Pressure in head’
- Nausea or vomiting
- Neck pain
- Balance problems or dizziness
- Blurred, double, or fuzzy vision
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Feeling sluggish or slowed down
- Feeling foggy or groggy
- Drowsiness
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Amnesia
- ‘Don’t feel right’
- Fatigue or low energy
- Sadness
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Irritability
- Emotional changes
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating or memory problems (e.g., forgetting plays)
- Repeating questions or comments
Signs observed by others include:
- Appearing dazed or stunned
- Showing a vacant facial expression
- Confusion about assignments
- Forgetting plays
- Uncertainty about the game, score, or opponent
- Clumsiness or uncoordinated movements
- Slow responses
- Slurred speech
- Behavior or personality changes
- Inability to recall events before or after the hit
- Seizures or convulsions
- Loss of consciousness
Important Precaution:
Continuing to play with concussion symptoms significantly increases the risk of severe brain injury. There is an elevated risk of further damage if another concussion occurs before full recovery—a condition known as second impact syndrome—which can cause prolonged recovery, severe brain swelling, and even fatal outcomes.
Educational Emphasis:
Adolescents and teenage athletes often under-report symptoms. Therefore, education of coaches, parents, athletes, and administrators is vital to ensure safety and proper management of potential concussions.
By participating, I acknowledge that I understand the seriousness of concussions and agree to follow all safety protocols to protect my child’s health and well-being.