What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI— caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. This fast movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging the brain cells. 

How Can I Spot a Possible Concussion?
Children and teens who show or report one or more of the signs and symptoms listed below—or simply say they just “don’t feel right” after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head o rbody—may have a concussion or other serious brain injury.

Signs Observed by Parents & Coaches

• Appears dazed or stunned.
• Forgets an instruction, is confused about an assignment or position, or is unsure of the game, score, or opponent.
• Moves clumsily
• Answers questions slowly.
• Loses consciousness (even briefly).
• Shows mood, behavior, or personality changes.
• Can’t recall events prior to or after a hit or fall.
• Slurred speach.
• Unresponsive

Symptoms Reported by Children and Teens

• Headache or “pressure” in head.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Balance problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision.
• Bothered by light or noise.
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy.
• Confusion, or concentration or memory problems.
• Just not “feeling right,” or “feeling down.”

What do if you suspect a Player or your Child  has a Concussion

• Remove the athlete from play.
• Inform the player's parents (guardians) or coach about the possible concussion.
• Ensure the athlete is evaluated right away by an appropriate health care professional.
• Keep the player out of play the day of the injury and until a health care professional says it's OK.  

Returning to play from a concussion

After being diagnosed with a concussion, Morris United players may only return to play following approval from a health care professional.

There are five gradual steps to help safely return an athlete to play:

Baseline: No Symptoms
As the baseline step of the Return to Play Progression, the athlete needs to have completed physical and cognitive rest and not be experiencing concussion symptoms for a minimum of 24 hours. Keep in mind, the younger the athlete, the more conservative the treatment.

Step 1: Light aerobic activity
The Goal: Only to increase an athlete’s heart rate.
The Time: 5 to 10 minutes.
The Activities: Exercise bike, walking, or light jogging.
Absolutely no weight lifting, jumping or hard running.

Step 2: Moderate activity
The Goal: Limited body and head movement.
The Time: Reduced from typical routine.
The Activities: Moderate jogging, brief running, moderate-intensity stationary biking, and moderate-intensity weightlifting

Step 3: Heavy, non-contact activity
The Goal: More intense but non-contact
The Time: Close to typical routine
The Activities: Running, high-intensity stationary biking, the player’s regular weightlifting routine, and non-contact sport-specific drills. This stage may add some cognitive component to practice in addition to the aerobic and movement components introduced in Steps 1 and 2.

Step 4: Practice & full contact
The Goal: Reintegrate in full contact practice.

Step 5: Competition
The Goal: Return to competition.