Southern California Soccer Officials Association San Diego INJURIES AND CONCUSSIONS

Ordinary Injury

When player must leave Rule c(2) The player who is: Injured and attended to on the field of play OR Deemed injured by the referee Shall leave the field and may be replaced.

Ordinary Injury

No exceptions Goalkeepers attended to on the field of play or deemed injured by the referee must leave the field.

Ordinary Injury A coach or trainer may not enter without approval from a referee. (Once granted, no coaching instruction by either team.)

Substitutions Rule 3-3-1c Either team may substitute an unlimited number of players from the bench when a player from either team is injured and removed from the field.

Concussions and Head Injuries

Unconscious Rule 3-3-1(c)(3) has been superseded by CIF. Book says: “Any player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the contest and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health care professional.”

CIF Concussion or Head Injury 313. CONCUSSION PROTOCOL A student-athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a... game shall be removed from competition at that time for the remainder of the day.

CIF Concussion Rules CAN THE PLAYER RETURN TO THE GAME? No. Done for the remainder of the day.

CIF Concussion and Head Injuries WHEN CAN THE PLAYER PLAY AGAIN? A student-athlete who has been removed from play may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in education and management of concussion and receives written clearance to return to play from that health care provider.

CIF Concussion Rules 313. CONCUSSION PROTOCOL Q: What is meant by “licensed health care provider?” A:... a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO).

Recognizing Concussions CIF Protocol: Remove player “who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury”

Recognizing Concussions To a doctor: Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) involving a change in mental status, with or without losing consciousness. To a coach or player It’s a “dinger” or ”bell ringer.”

Recognizing Concussions Concussions result from a direct blow to the head, or force transferred to the head, that slams the brain into the skull.

Recognizing Concussions Less than 10 percent of concussions involve loss of consciousness.

Recognizing Concussions Soccer statistics reveal that women’s soccer suffer concussions at twice the rate of men’s soccer.

Recognizing Concussions Signs: Dazed, stunned, or confused Unsure of game, score or opponent Moves clumsily Answers questions slowly Memory problems

Recognizing Concussions Unable to answer simple questions What’s your name? Where are you? When is your birthday?

Recognizing Concussions WHEN IN DOUBT, SIT THEM OUT!

Recognizing Severe Concussions Implement Emergency Response: Unconscious Irregular breathing Vomiting Severe headache Seizures

Recognizing Concussions For more information and resources: