Concussion Policy

Spartans Football is dedicated to the protection and safety of all youth participating in the sport. The goal is to make sure that proper procedures and techniques are always adhered to at all times, especially in times of injury.

Due to its nature, one of the greatest concerns for parents and players is a concussion. Due to the high awareness, teaching and training around concussions have made minor football a very safe sport for youth. According to Health Canada, for male youths aged 10-14, football concussions fall 5th behind Ice Hockey, Rugby, Sledding/Tobogganing and Lacrosse (click here for source).

Concussion Management

• Guidelines for Coaches, Players, Parents and Officials
  • • You do not have to lose consciousness to have a concussion. Symptoms are often subtle.
  • • Players must wear properly fitted protective equipment.
  • • The head (helmet/facemask) should never be used to make initial contact with another player.
  • • When in doubt, Sit the Player Out!
  • • Concussion is a Brain Injury.
  • • A concussion may be caused by a direct blow to the head, face, neck, or anywhere else on the body that causes a severe and sudden movement to the head.
  • • A concussion alters the way your brain functions and can cause significant impairment. Concussions
  • • can cause various symptoms.
  • Symptoms may include:
    • • Loss of Consciousness
    • • Confusion and Disorientation
    • • Headache
    • • Dizziness
    • • Nausea and Vomiting
    • • Loss of Balance
    • • Double Vision or Fuzzy Vision
    • • Ringing in the Ears
    • • Slow or Slurred Speech
    • • Emotional or Personality Changes
    • • Feeling Stunned or Dazed
    • • Seeing Stars
• Management of a Concussion

  An athlete should never return to play while symptomatic

  “When in Doubt, Sit Them Out”

  When a player shows any symptoms or signs of a concussion:

  1. • The player should not be allowed to return to play in the current game or practice.
  2. • The player should not be left alone, regular monitoring for deterioration is essential.
  3. • The player should be medically evaluated following the injury.
  4. • Return to play must follow medical clearance by an appropriate physician and must follow a medically supervised stepwise process.
• Return to Play Steps

  The green light of the qualified physician is required before considering a return to the game.

  The management of the concussion should meet the following:

  1. 1. No activity, only complete rest. Proceed to step 2 only when symptoms are gone.
  2. 2. Light aerobic exercise, such as walking or stationary cycling. Monitor for symptoms and signs.

  No resistance training or weight lifting.

  1. 3.Sport specific activities and training (e.g. skating)
  2. 4. Drills without body contact.
  3. 5. Begin drills with body contact.
  4. 6. Game play.