Concussion Policy

Own Touch recognizes the potential danger and long-term health consequences of this often difficult to diagnose form of traumatic brain injury. The Policy is intended to provide easy-to-understand guidelines related to players who have been diagnosed with or are suspected of having a concussion.

The Policy is for Coaches, Parents and Players but is to be shared with any other adults or participants in Own Touch’s programs.

Coaches

Coaches, on their own time, will watch in its entirety at least once every two years one of the following two educational videos. 

  • “Concussion in Sports – What you Need to Know” developed by The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). Click here for the video (users must create account)

  • “Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports Online Concussion Training” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Click here for the video

  • Before each season, all Coaches will be given a copy of CDC’s “Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports, A Fact Sheet for Coaches” document or a similar document to be approved by Own Touch. 

  • Concussions rarely (less than 10% of occurrences) involve loss of consciousness.  However, in the event of loss of consciousness the Coach will call 911 or will instruct another adult to call 911.

  • When, during a session, a Player is suspected of having a concussion the Coach will remove the Player from the session and will not allow the player to return to play for the remainder of the session. The Coach will keep the Player out even if the Player insists, "I'm OK now, Coach"

  • The Coach will inform the Player’s Parent or guardian of the Player’s symptoms as soon as possible.  Ideally, the Parent will be notified immediately.

  • When the Player returns for a future session if, based on the Coach’s understanding of concussion symptoms, the Coach suspects the player is still exhibiting symptoms, the Coach will keep the player from the activity.

Parents

  • When a Parent registers their Player they will be required to fill out and sign a Student-athlete & Parent/Legal Guardian Concussion Statement.

  • Every year Parents will receive an e-mail from Own Touch that includes:

    • A brief explanation of our policy and the importance of the Parent’s role in understanding it.

    • A link to the Policy on the Own touch web site

    • An electronic copy of CDC’s “Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports, A Fact Sheet for Parents” document or a similar document to be approved by Own Touch.

    • A link to each of the two approved education videos mentioned above.

Players

  • All Players will be given a copy of CDC’s “Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports, A Fact Sheet for Players” document.

  • All Players will be asked to watch either of the approved education videos mentioned above at least once every two years.