CONCUSSION/INJURY POLICY

 
The Mason Lacrosse Club (MLC) developed the following policy in regards to concussions and other serious injuries in a continued effort to uphold our philosophy in keeping the safety of our players the primary concern while they participate in the sport of lacrosse.
 
CONCUSSIONS:
On-field collisions or any blow to the head can lead to a concussion.  A concussion can happen from a blow to any angle to the head.  Concussions are reported most frequently in football but boys and girls playing the sport of lacrosse follow closely behind.  All athletes are at risk.  Anyone can get a concussion. 
 
Concussion symptoms may last from a few days to several months and interfere with school, work and social life.  An athlete should not return to sports while still having symptoms from a concussion, as they are at risk for prolonging symptoms and further injury.  Many symptoms appear immediately after the injury, while others may develop over the next several days or weeks.
 
Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion*:

• Appears dazed or stunned

• Is confused about assignment or position

• Forgets plays

• Is unsure of game, score or opponent

• Moves clumsily

• Answers questions slowly

• Loses consciousness

• Shows behavior or personality changes

• Can’t recall events before hit

• Can’t recall events after hit

Concussion Symptoms Reported by Athletes*:

• Headache or “Pressure” in head

• Nausea or vomitting

• Balance Problems or dizziness

• Double or fuzzy vision

• Sensitivity to light or noise

• Feeling sluggish, foggy or groggy

• Concentration or memory problems

• Does not feel right

   
  *Source:  Center for Disease Control (CDC website)
    

COACHES:

(updated 2-28-13) ***** IN  RESPONSE TO OHIO HOUSE BILL 143, BEFORE THE FIRST REGULAR LEAGUE GAME, ALL COACHES MUST COMPLETE THE "Concussion in Sports - What You Need To Know" COURSE FOUND HERE:  www.nfhslearn.com/electiveDetail.aspx?courseID=38000
THIS MUST BE RENEWED EVERY 3 YEARS*****
 
If you suspect a player has a concussion, please follow these steps:
 

1.   Remove the athlete from play. Look for signs and symptoms of a concussion if your athlete has experienced a bump or blow to the head or body. When in doubt, sit them out.  If symptoms appear to be getting worse, seek immediate medical attention by calling 911.
 

2.  Ensure that the athlete is evaluated by a health care professional experienced in evaluating for concussion. Do not try to judge the severity of the injury yourself. Health care professionals have a number of methods that they can use to assess the severity of concussions. As a coach, recording the following information can help health care professionals in assessing the athlete after the injury:

• Cause of the injury and force of the hit or blow to the head or body
• Any loss of consciousness (passed out/knocked out) and if so, for how long
• Any memory loss immediately following the injury
• Any seizures immediately following the injury
• Number of previous concussions (if any)

 
3. Inform the athlete’s parents or guardians about the possible concussion and give them the information fact sheet on concussions. This fact sheet can help parents monitor the athlete for signs or symptoms that appear or get worse once the athlete is at home.
 
4. Keep the athlete out of play the day of the injury and until an appropriate health care professional says they are symptom-free and it’s OK to return to play.
 
5.  Within 24 hours of such incident, contact the Mason Lacrosse Club President by phone and then follow-up with an email containing the following information:

• -Player’s name
• -Date & Time of incident
• -Location of incident
• -Details of incident

 
6. Follow up with the parents or legal guardian on the player’s condition within 24 hours of the accident.  At the appropriate time, remind parent or legal guardian of the necessity of a doctor’s note in order to permit player to return to practices and games.
 
 
COACHES & PARENTS:
For the safety of our youth and middle school lacrosse players, Mason Lacrosse Club will enforce the following policy in regards to concussions as recommended by the CDC and US Lacrosse:

• Parents must read the MLC Concussion/Injury Policy and sign the MLC Parent Acknowledgment of Concussion Policy prior to the start of each lacrosse season.

• Any player showing any signs of a concussion MUST leave the game or practice.

• Players cannot return to action until they have sought the advice of an appropriate health care professional (experienced in evaluating concussions) and have provided their Head Coach with a signed & dated note from that doctor stating that the player is cleared to resume all lacrosse related practices/games and activities. 

Head Coaches must submit that doctor’s note to the Mason Lacrosse Club Secretary within one week of receipt.

RESOURCES for Coaches, Parents & Athletes:
Click here for US Lacrosse Concussion Awareness Information

Click here for Ohio Department of Health Concussion Information

Click here for Ohio Concusson awareness law

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OTHER PLAYER INJURIES:
In the event a serious injury occurs (on or off the field) to a Mason Lacrosse Club player, that player may not return to action until the player’s parent or legal guardian provides the Head Coach with a signed and dated note from a doctor stating that the player is cleared to resume all lacrosse related practices/games and activities.  Head Coaches must submit that note to the Mason Lacrosse Club Secretary within one week of receipt.
 
Other Serious injuries are defined but not limited to:

• Neck or Back Injuries

• Injury requiring stitches

• If parent or legal guardian is not present, seek immediate medical attention by calling 911.

• If parent or legal guardian is present, recommend that they seek immediate medical attention for their child or obtain it (if requested) by calling 911.  

• Notify the Mason Lacrosse Club President by phone as soon as reasonably possible.

• Within 24 hours of such incident, provide the Mason Lacrosse Club President with an email containing the following information:                                                                         

  • Players Name

  • Date & Time of incident

  • Location of incident

  • Details of incident

• Follow up with the parents or legal guardian on the player’s condition within 24 hours of the accident.

• At the appropriate time, remind parent or legal guardian of the necessity of a doctor’s note in order to permit player to return to practices and games.

   
  Adopted by the Mason Lacrosse Club Board
  September/2010