This policy is required for ALL coaches and officials regardless of their age and/or status (i.e. Head coach, Assistant Coach, Head Referee, Assistant Referee, etc.). These procedures are designed to comply with recently passed legislation concerning concussion in youth sports. It will be necessary to complete a concussion training course every three (3) years.

STEP 1: The first portion of the National Concussion policy is the taking of a FREE online training course. ALL coaches and referees MUST complete this training course prior to participating in the any activity whether it be a practice or a game situation.

There are two approved options for the FREE online training program consists of two approved options, either of which is acceptable:

The FIRST APPROVED OPTION is provided by the National Federation of State High School Associations Concussion in Sports – What You Need to Know, which can be found at http://www.nfhslearn.com/electiveDetail.aspx?courseID=38000. This online course will require you to click on the "order here” button to begin the training. It will ask you to complete a brief registration form prior to beginning the course, which is solely for the purpose of registering you in their data base as having successfully completed the online material. After you have completed this course you will be given the option to print out a personalized certificate of completion (It is suggested that this certificate by printed out in pdf format, otherwise your name may not appear on this certificate). 

The SECOND APPROVED OPTION is through the Center for Disease Control and their Prevention Heads Up Concussion in Youth Sports Online training program, which is at http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.html. Click on the online training course button to begin your training. After successfully completing the on-line training, you will be offered an opportunity to print out a personalized "certificate of completion”. FYI - this option does not keep a record of your completing this training. 

After completing either the FIRST OR SECOND APPROVED OPTION, you will need to print out your personalized "certificate of completion” and keep a copy with you at ALL related functions (especially referees, as you may be required to show your personalized certificate to the appropriate SAY authorities prior to being allowed to officiate any games).

STEP 2: The second portion of the SAY National Concussion policy is the Removal-From and Return-to-Play procedure. Any athlete exhibiting signs and symptoms of concussion either during a practice or during a game MUST be immediately removed. This athlete MAY NOT return to play nor participate in any activity on the same day that he or she has been removed (even if a written medical clearance is provided).

In addition, the athlete is not permitted to return to play or participate in any activity until he or she has been assessed and received written clearance by a physician or by another licensed health care provider. A Return-to-Play form must be submitted to the coach prior to allowing the athlete to participate in any activity with the athlete’s team, whether it be a practice or a game situation.

Listed below you will find helpful links regarding signs and symptoms of concussion, a parent’s education form, a possible concussion notification form, and a Return-to-Play form.

In order to protect young athletes, the State of Ohio has passed a concussion law, commonly called the "Return to Play" law. This law, similar to laws enacted in most other states, imposes training, safety, and awareness requirements on youth sports organizations, like GDPL, and its league, tournaments, coaches, referees, officials, and athletes and their families.A concussion is a brain injury and all brain injuries are serious. They may be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or by a blow to another part of the body with the force transmitted to the head. They can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works. Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and may result in complications including prolonged brain damage and death if not recognized and managed properly.