Playing soccer involves the risk of sustaining a concussion. At Somerset West, we take this risk seriously, and we want to help players, parents, and coaches learn to recognize the signs of concussions and to respond appropriately when they occur.
A concussion is a form of brain injury that affects the ability of the brain to function properly. It can result from impact to the head or body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. Most concussions do not involve loss of consciousness, and they can be caused by bumps or blows that seem mild. However, all concussions are serious and require an appropriate response to avoid further injury or even death.
Young athletes will often under-report concussion symptoms, or may have difficulty communicating what they are feeling. Because of this, it is crucial that parents and coaches watch for any signs of a concussion during and after play. If a parent notices a child exhibiting any of these signs, that parent should immediately inform the coach.
Under Oregon law, a player who shows any signs or symptoms of a concussion following an observed or suspected bump to the head or body MUST be removed from play immediately, and may not return to play until she/he no longer shows any signs or symptoms of a concussion, and has received a medical release form from a health care professional.
Remember, a concussion is a serious injury with potentially long-lasting consequences. We must all work together to recognize concussions when they happen. We encourage you to share this information with your children. Please note that all players over the age of 12 are required to read this information.
Because it is an injury to the brain, a concussion is not something that an observer can see. Instead, coaches and parents must watch for signs of a concussion, and athletes must be aware of the symptoms of a concussion. Important signs and symptoms may include the following:
| Signs Observed by Coach or Parent | Symptoms Reported by Athlete |
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