The safety of our participants is paramount at Evolution Sports. While we make every effort to structure our programs to allow for participants to engage in our programs safely, we ask participants, parents and legal guardians, volunteers, and coach to acknowledge that they understand our concussion protocol.

WHAT IS A CONCUSSION:

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth.
This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells. These changes in the brain lead to symptoms that may affect how a child thinks, learns, feels, acts, and sleeps. Symptoms are usually most severe right after the injury.
You cannot see a concussion, and more than 90% of all concussions occur without loss of consciousness. Signs and symptoms of concussion may show up right after the injury or can take hours or days to fully appear. All concussions are potentially serious and, if not managed properly, may result in complications including brain damage and, in rare cases, even death. Even a “ding” or a bump on the head can be serious. If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms or signs of concussion yourself, your child should be immediately removed from play, evaluated by a medical professional, and cleared by a medical doctor.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION:

Concussion signs and symptoms may not show up right away—they may take hours or days to appear or be noticed. Spotting a possible concussion may be harder in young children and some children with disabilities because they may not be able to communicate or express how they feel. If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms or signs of concussion yourself, seek medical attention right away.

A player may show one or more of the following symptoms. Signs and symptoms of concussion can include but are not limited to:

Physical
• Bothered by light or noise
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Feeling tired, no energy
• Headaches
• Nausea or vomiting (early on)
• Vision problems

Thinking and remembering
• Attention or concentration problems
• Feeling slowed down
• Foggy or groggy
• Problems with short- or long-term memory
• Trouble thinking clearly

Social or emotional
• Anxiety or nervousness
• Irritability or easily angered
• Feeling more emotional
• Sadness

Sleep
• Sleeping less than usual
• Sleeping more than usual
• Trouble falling asleep

Additional Symptoms
• Appearing dazed, stunned, or confused about recent events
• Sudden difficulty remembering or concentrating, especially on topics or activities that would otherwise hold their attention
• Answering questions more slowly than usual
• Appearing more clumsy than usual, seeming unsteady on their feet
• Suddenly slowed reaction times
• Mood, behavior, or personality changes

How Your Child May Report Symptoms
• Headache or “pressure” in head.
• Nausea or vomiting
• Balance problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision.
• Bothered by light or noise.
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy.
• Confusion, or concentration or memory problems.
• Just not “feeling right,” or “feeling down.”

DANGERS if your child continues to play with a concussion or returns too soon:

Athletes with signs and symptoms of concussion should be removed from activity (play or practice) immediately. Continuing to play with the signs and symptoms of a concussion leaves the young athlete especially vulnerable to sustaining another concussion. Athletes who sustain a second concussion before the symptoms of the first concussion have resolved and the brain has had a chance to heal are at risk for prolonged concussion symptoms, permanent disability and even death (called “Second Impact Syndrome” where the brain swells uncontrollably)

IMMEDIATE ACTION PLAN:
WHEN IN DOUBT, SIT THEM OUT!
Any athlete suspected of suffering a concussion will be removed from the activity immediately. No participant may return to activity after an apparent head injury or concussion, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear, without written medical clearance from an appropriate healthcare professional. Close observation of your child should continue for several hours. You should also seek medical care if you think that your child may have a concussion.

RETURN TO PLAY:
Pursuant to Florida Statute 943.0438, Evolution Sports Leagues LLC, D.B.A. Evolution Sports require each participant who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or competition to be immediately removed from the activity. A youth athlete who has been removed from an activity may not return to practice or competition until the youth submits to the athletic coach a written medical clearance to return stating that the youth athlete no longer exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion or other head injury. Medical clearance must be authorized by the appropriate health care practitioner trained in the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of concussions.
For more information regarding concussions please visit:
https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/index.html