Here’s What The Experts Say:
Parents can help schools to address this issue. If their child plays sports – especially sports with high concussion rates – they should learn how to recognize these injuries.“Researchers have documented athletes’ lack of willingness to report concussions to medical personnel, so parents of youth athletes should also be educated to recognize signs and symptoms of concussion. Parents (or guardians) typically have the most contact with young athletes and so are well positioned to report atypical behavior, but many parents are not properly educated on the topic of concussion.”
– National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement: Management of Sport Concussion
Concerns surround whether schools always follow best practices (and whether they do enough to address the risk of other catastrophic injuries both during the season and in off-season conditioning).“The best practices are not being followed. … I’m kind of mystified, but people are just not implementing evidence-based medicine and policies at the high school level. I’m not saying they’re not interested in it, but they’re just not doing it.”
– Dr. Douglas Casa, Chief Executive Officer of the University of Connecticut’s Korey Stringer Institute
Fortunately, 49 states (and the district of Columbia) have passed laws that specifically address the issue of concussions in youth sports.“Most forbid a return to play on the day of the suspected concussion, require clearance to resume play from a qualified medical professional, and mandate education on the issue for parents and athletes. About half of the laws require training for coaches.”
– “Tackling Concussions”
“The Texas law includes a first-in-the-nation provision for the creation of concussion oversight teams by each school district or charter school participating in interscholastic sports.”
– MomsTeam.com, youth sports information website
Some believe that a fundamental shift in teaching sports before kids even enter high school is necessary.In 2015, the U.S. Soccer Federation issued concussion guidelines that prohibited “heading” by soccer players ages 10 and younger and restricted heading by players ages 11-13 to only practices, never in games.
Pointing to the effect of brain injury concerns on declining participation numbers in high school football, a 2018 white paper by the Aspen Institute’s Sports and Society Program suggested teaching flag rather than tackle football before athletes reach the high school level.
“I think that this has the opportunity to really save the game of football, honestly.”
– Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints quarterback, who founded a mixed-gender flag football league for youth players from kindergarten through 10th grade