CONCUSSION PROTOCOL — Youth Sports Coach Card

LCB coaches · Print & bag
BLUF: A concussion is a brain injury. You cannot see it, and kids often hide it. When in doubt, sit them out. Suspect one → remove immediately → tell the parent → get medical eval → no return to practice or games until written clearance from an appropriate healthcare provider. Florida law (F.S. 943.0438) and LCB policy require this — same-day return is never OK.
What a concussion is
  • Traumatic brain injury from a bump, blow, or jolt to the head — or a hit to the body that snaps the head/brain.
  • Most happen without loss of consciousness.
  • Short-term: headache, fogginess, balance/vision issues, mood changes, sleep problems.
  • Long-term risk if ignored: prolonged symptoms, second-impact injury, learning/mood trouble.
  • Youth brains are still developing — treat every hit seriously.
Baseball moments that matter
  • Beanball / HBP to the head or helmet
  • Collision at a base, home plate, or in the outfield
  • Foul tip / bat / ball off the catcher’s mask
  • Hard fall diving or sliding into a fence/dugout
Your job as coach (before anything happens)
  • Know the signs — don’t wait for the kid to tell you.
  • Create a speak-up culture — praise reporting; never shame sitting out.
  • Tell parents up front: we remove first, ask questions later.
  • Enforce safe play: no malicious contact, teach proper sliding/avoidance.
  • Helmets on for batters, baserunners, and catchers; fit snug, chin strap used.
  • Keep this card in the bag; know who calls 911 and who holds the emergency contacts.
  • Complete required LCB / youth-sports concussion training and keep the certificate on file.
Signs YOU may observe
  • Appears dazed, stunned, or confused
  • Forgets plays, score, or assignment
  • Moves clumsily / off-balance
  • Answers slowly or repeats questions
  • Personality / mood change
  • Can’t recall events before or after the hit
  • Loses consciousness (even briefly)
  • Vomits after a head/body hit
Symptoms the athlete may report
  • Headache or “pressure” in the head
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness / balance problems
  • Blurry or double vision
  • Sensitivity to light or noise
  • Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, groggy
  • Concentration or memory problems
  • Just “not feeling right” / feeling down
DANGER SIGNS → call 911 / ER
  • One pupil larger than the other
  • Drowsy / can’t wake up
  • Headache that worsens and won’t stop
  • Slurred speech, weakness, numbness
  • Repeated vomiting
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • Increasing confusion, agitation, or unusual behavior
  • Loss of consciousness
Stay with the athlete until help arrives.
If you suspect a concussion — four steps (CDC HEADS UP)
1 · REMOVE
Pull them immediately Any sign or symptom after a head/body hit → out of the game or practice. Do not “shake it off.”
2 · CHECK
Scan for danger signs If any red-flag above → 911 / ER. Otherwise stay with them; keep calm; no meds unless a parent/provider directs.
3 · INFORM
Tell the parent / guardian What happened, what you saw, and that they need a healthcare provider trained in concussion care. Document the incident.
4 · KEEP OUT
No same-day return Out until written medical clearance. Coach does not diagnose or clear — only remove and protect.
Florida / LCB rule: A youth athlete suspected of a concussion or head injury must be removed immediately and may not return to practice or competition until the coach receives written medical clearance stating the athlete no longer shows signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with concussion — from an appropriate healthcare practitioner trained in concussion diagnosis, evaluation, and management (F.S. 943.0438; FHSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee definition). Parents also sign annual concussion informed-consent before the season.
After clearance — gradual return to play (CDC 6 steps · ≥24 hours each · stop & drop back one step if symptoms return)
1
Back to school / daily life Provider green-lights starting the RTP process
2
Light aerobic Walk / easy bike — raise heart rate, no heavy lifting
3
Sport-specific Jog, agilities — no head-risk contact
4
Non-contact drills Harder drills, progressive resistance; still no collision risk
5
Full practice Normal team activity; staff assesses skills & confidence
6
Game play Return to competition only after completing steps 1–5 clean
Talking points for parents & kids
  • “We’re sitting you because we care about your brain — not because you’re soft.”
  • Symptoms can show up hours later — keep watching at home.
  • Rest from screens/homework if the provider says so; sleep matters.
  • Return to school/activities usually comes before full sports return.
  • Another hit before healing can make symptoms much worse.
Hard rules — do not break these
  • Never let a symptomatic kid “try one more inning.”
  • Never diagnose (“it’s just a stinger”) or clear them yourself.
  • Never accept verbal “the doctor said it’s fine” — need written clearance.
  • Never hide an incident from parents or LCB leadership.
  • If you’re unsure whether it was a concussion → treat it as one.
Coach quick-reference only — not a substitute for medical care or the required concussion training certificate. Aligned with CDC HEADS UP to Youth Sports Coaches guidance and Florida youth athletic coach requirements (F.S. 943.0438). Follow any additional LCB / league packet instructions. Training: cdc.gov/heads-up · Keep your certificate with background-screening docs.