Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to promote safe return to play following a concussion and to protect the short- and long-term brain health of all players.

This policy establishes that parents are primarily responsible for following return-to-play protocols, encourages continued involvement of the healthcare provider, and provides a conservative safety framework to be used only when a provider-specific protocol is not supplied.

Foundational Principles

• Concussion recovery and return-to-play decisions are medical issues guided by licensed healthcare professionals.

• Recovery timelines are individualized and vary by athlete.

• Parents are primarily responsible for managing their child’s return to play.

• Symptoms at any time during a return-to play process indicate the athlete is not ready to participate.

• When in doubt, the player sits out.

Parent Responsibility and Communication

Parents or guardians are responsible for overseeing and following their child’s return-to-play protocol.

Parents must provide the coach with a concussion form signed by their healthcare provider indicating that the player is safe to begin a return-to-play protocol.

  • It is strongly recommended that parents request a detailed return-to-play protocol from their healthcare provider and that they follow up (i.e. Clinic visit/Telehealth visit/Electronic messages) with their provider to monitor the progression of the player throughout the protocol and when ready, clear them to return to game play.
  • If a return-to-play protocol is not provided by the players healthcare provider, then the parents will follow the clubs Graduated Return-To-Play Protocol. This protocol exists solely to ensure a minimum level of safety when a healthcare provider clears a player to return to play but does not provide a detailed return-to-play protocol.

Parents are encouraged to attend practices when feasible to help monitor their child during the return-to-play process.

On days without team practices, parents and players may progress through appropriate return-to-play steps at home.

Parents must communicate the player’s current return-to-play stage to the coach prior to participation in practices.

Role of the Coach

Coaches support the return-to-play process by observing players during practices and communicating with parents.

If a player reports or demonstrates concussion-related symptoms, the coach must immediately remove the player from activity and notify the parent or guardian.

Coaches do not make medical decisions but are required to enforce concussion safety when symptoms are present.

Healthcare Provider Involvement

Parents are strongly encouraged to maintain regular follow-up with their child’s healthcare provider throughout recovery.

If a healthcare provider supplies a specific return-to-play protocol, that protocol takes precedence and must be followed by the parent, player, and coach.

Healthcare providers are encouraged to remain involved throughout the return-to-play process.

Purpose of This Club Protocol

This club’s return-to-play protocol does not replace medical guidance. It exists solely to ensure a minimum level of safety when a healthcare provider clears a player to return to sport but does not provide a detailed return-to-play protocol.

Graduated Return-to-Play Protocol (If No Provider-Specific Plan Is Provided)

An athlete must be symptom free for 24 hours. (Refer to section on Concussion Symptoms)

A minimum of 24 hours must occur between stages. Younger athletes or those with prior concussions may require longer.

Stage 1: Symptom-free at rest and at school.

Stage 2: Light aerobic activity (walking, stationary bike, and controlled activities that increase heart rate)

Stage 3: Soccer-specific activity without contact or heading (i.e. running, dribbling, passing)

Stage 4: Non-contact team training at full speed without heading (i.e. technical drills, passing, shooting, small-sided games without contact/heading)

Stage 5: Full practice with contact, minimizing heading (i.e. return to normal training activities)

Stage 6: Full return to game play

Symptom Recurrence and Step-Down

If a player reports or demonstrates concussion-related symptoms at any stage, the player must stop activity immediately.

The parent or guardian will be notified, and the player will return to Stage 1 of the provider-specific or club’s return-to-play protocol.

Progression may resume only once the child is symptom-free for 24-hours and, when appropriate, after consultation with the healthcare provider.

When a Parent Disagrees with a Coach’s Decision

At times, a parent or guardian may disagree with a coach’s decision to remove a player from participation due to suspected, observed or reported concussion-related symptoms. In these situations:

• Coaches are not overriding medical clearance; they are responding to current symptoms, which indicate the player is not ready to participate safely.

• This policy requires coaches to remove players who exhibit concussion-related symptoms during the return-to-play protocol.

• Coaches should calmly explain the symptoms suspected, observed or reported and that these symptoms make participation unsafe and that removal from practice is required under club policy.

• Parents are strongly encouraged to contact their healthcare provider to report symptoms and seek further medical guidance.

• Coaches should document the suspected, observed or reported symptoms and the conversation with the parent and send this to the director of coaches, Jay Meeth.

• Parents who disagree with a coach’s decision should contact club leadership for review and resolution.

• Coaches should involve club leadership promptly if conflicts persist.

Policy Statement

This club prioritizes player health and brain safety above competition.

Parent-led oversight, honest symptom reporting, and clear communication among parents, coaches, healthcare providers, and club leadership are essential to a safe return to play.

Additional Resources

  • Great Lakes Sports Medicine and Concussion Clinic
    • Hours: Monday-Friday: 9am to 5pm
    • Address: 2500 Niles Rd. Suite 5, Saint Joseph, MI 49085
    • Phone: 269-281-0408

Concussion Symptoms

  • Physical
    • Headache
    • Nausea/Vomiting
    • Balance Problems
    • Numbness/Tingling
    • Sensitivity to Light/Noise
    • Visual Problems
    • Dizziness
    • Dazed or Stunned
  • Emotional
    • Irritability
    • Sadness
    • Nervousness
    • More Emotional
  • Sleep
    • Drowsiness
    • Sleeping Less or More Than Usual
    • Trouble Falling Asleep
  • Cognitive
    • Feeling Mentally Foggy
    • Difficulty Concentrating
    • Difficulty Remembering
    • Repeats Questions
    • Feeling Mentally Slowed Down
    • Forgetful of Recent Information
    • Confused About Recent Events
    • Answers Questions Slowly