The High Sierra Lacrosse League (HSLL) is committed to protecting the health and safety of its participants. This policy outlines the required steps for concussion management for all players, coaches, parents, and officials involved in HSLL activities.
1. Concussion Education and Acknowledgment
All athletes, parents, coaches, and program administrators must complete annual education regarding concussions, including the signs and symptoms, possible prevention, mechanisms of injury, and return to activity guidelines. All parties must acknowledge that they have read and understood this protocol.
2. Immediate Removal from Play (Suspected Concussion)
Any athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion, or is suspected of sustaining a concussion, must be immediately removed from play and all athletic activities.
- No Same-Day Return: The athlete is prohibited from returning to athletic activity for at least the remainder of that calendar day.
- Observation: A parent or guardian, or a designated adult, must be notified and must monitor the athlete until they are under the care of a healthcare professional.
- Head Injuries: Any head injury, no matter how minor, must result in the athlete being removed from competition.
3. Written Medical Clearance
An athlete removed from play due to a suspected concussion may not return to any High Sierra Lacrosse League practice, game, or event until they have been evaluated and cleared (in writing) by a licensed healthcare professional.
- The written medical clearance must be provided directly to the Program Head Coach and the High Sierra Lacrosse League Commissioner for documentation prior to the athlete resuming any activity.
- The clearance process typically requires the athlete to be 100% symptom-free and, for high school-aged players, a return to baseline scores on any computer-based impact testing.
4. Return-to-Play (RTP) Protocol
Once the athlete is cleared by a healthcare professional, they must successfully complete a gradual, step-wise Return-to-Play (RTP) progression, following the latest guidelines from organizations like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or USA Lacrosse.
The typical protocol involves a minimum of five days of progressive, supervised exertion before an athlete can be cleared for full participation in practice or games.