A Possible Concussion Cannot Be Kept Secret to Protect Playing Time

Let the report change the activity

After a hit, an athlete reports a possible symptom and asks the coach not to tell anyone because they want to keep playing. The next decision belongs to safety, not selection, toughness or the athlete’s willingness to continue.

CDC directs immediate removal from sports participation when concussion is suspected. Do not make the athlete demonstrate another drill, finish a period or prove the concern through a performance test. A child’s desire to stay in cannot establish that continued participation is appropriate.

Source: CDC HEADS UP: Responding to a Sports-related Concussion

Use the emergency and medical route

CDC advises checking for concussion danger signs; an athlete with danger signs needs emergency-department care right away. Follow the program’s emergency action procedures and obtain emergency help when indicated. Do not delay action to complete this worksheet.

An athlete with a possible concussion needs assessment by a healthcare provider. Coaches should not judge severity themselves. Use current CDC information and the actual organization’s protocol, including notifying the appropriate responsible adults. This page is not a diagnostic tool or an individualized treatment plan.

Tell athletes in advance that reporting a possible injury is a reason for appropriate adult care. When a concern is raised, avoid a speech about letting the team down or rewarding toughness. Those judgments do not help the coach carry out the removal and medical response. State the immediate boundary calmly and involve the appropriate responsible adults through the actual protocol. If the athlete asks when they can return, describe the required healthcare decision rather than predicting a date. A coach can continue to treat the athlete as part of the team without allowing sport participation that has not been cleared. The administrative record should support the real handoff; it must never become a reason to leave the athlete waiting while adults finish paperwork.

Source: CDC HEADS UP: Responding to a Sports-related Concussion

Do not negotiate a same-day return

CDC says to keep the athlete out of participation on the day of the injury and until a healthcare provider clears return. Feeling better, an important match or an athlete’s promise to be careful does not transfer that medical decision to the coach.

Imagine a coach being asked whether the athlete can take one last turn. The coach follows the removal and medical route rather than bargaining over a smaller amount of exposure. The conversation can be calm and caring while the boundary remains clear.

Source: CDC HEADS UP: Responding to a Sports-related Concussion

Keep the record appropriate

Use the program’s restricted incident process for observations, notifications and medical instructions. Do not publish the athlete’s symptoms or ask teammates to diagnose them. The general working notes here should contain process information only, with private records kept separately.

Confirm who owns each immediate step and what communication actually occurred. A call placed is not proof that a responsible adult received it. Continue through the real handoff and follow the healthcare provider’s return instructions. A completed coaching form cannot clear an athlete to resume sport.

Source: CDC HEADS UP: Responding to a Sports-related Concussion