Concussion Overview
2017 Recertification
Topics
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USSF Lawsuit
USSF Policy
USYSA Policy
Maryland Law
MSYSA/VYSA Heading Policy
Developmental Academy Policy
VSA
• On August 27, 2014 - Hagens Berman Law
Firm filed a 132 page class action suit claiming
US Soccer “failed to provide adequate
concussion management”.
http://hbsscreative.com/emails/downloads/08-27-14_FIFA_Complaint_Filed.pdf
• Also named in the suit were FIFA, AYSO,
USYSA, US Club Soccer, California Youth Soccer
Association
• November 2, 2015 - US Soccer announces
“Player Safety Campaign”
• Player Safety Campaign
– Improve concussion awareness and education among
youth coaches, referees, parents and players
– Instill uniform concussion management and return-to-play
protocols for youth players
– Modify substitution rules to allow players who may have
suffered a concussion during games to be evaluated
without penalty
– Prohibit heading the ball for children 10 and under and
limit the activity in practice only for ages 11 to 13.
• USYSA Concussion Procedures (5 step)
1. Did a concussion occur?
2. Is emergency treatment needed?
3. If a possible concussion occurred, but no emergency
treatment is needed, what should be done now?
4. A player diagnosed with a possible concussion may
return to US Youth Soccer play only after release from a
medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy specializing in
concussion treatment and management.
5. If there is a possibility of a concussion, do the following:
• Maryland Law (14-501)
(c) (1) A youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a
concussion or other head injury in a practice or game shall be
removed from play at that time.
(2) A youth athlete who has been removed from play
may not return to play until the youth athlete has obtained
written clearance from a licensed health care provider trained
in the evaluation and management of concussions.
(5) “Youth sports program” means a program organized
for recreational athletic competition or instruction for
participants who are under the age of 19 years.
• MSYSA/VYSA Policy (U11 & younger)
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Ball touches head = STOP PLAY IMMEDIATELY
If deliberate, IFK from spot of offense
If inadvertent, dropped ball from spot of ball
Player safety is highest priority
Rule modification, NOT violation of Law 12
• No DOGSO possible
• No Advantage – play is immediately stopped
• If goal after contact – no goal
• Developmental Academy Concussion Procedures
– Remove athlete from play immediately
– Player should be evaluated by a healthcare
professional, specially trained in the evaluation and
management of sports concussion.
– Cognitive and Physical Rest
– Neuropsychological Testing
– Graded Exercise progression
– Return to Play