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Guidelines for Coaches/Trainers
  • The Next Step
  • Alberta Safety Guidelines
  • Alberta Concussion Alliance
Home/Resources/Guidelines for Coaches/Trainers Print This Page

Guidelines for the Coach/Trainer

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a brain injury that cannot be seen on x-rays or CT scans. It affects the way a person may think and remember things for a short time. Concussions can cause a variety of symptoms.

What are the symptoms and signs of concussion?

It is important to know that an athlete does not need to be knocked out (lose consciousness) to have had a concussion. A variety of problems may happen after a concussion, including:

Thinking Problems

  • Does not know time, date, place, period of game, opposing team, score of game
  • General confusion
  • Cannot remember things that happened before and after the injury
  • Knocked out

Child’s Complaints

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Feels dazed
  • Feels “dinged” or stunned; “having my bell rung”
  • Sees stars, flashing lights
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Sleepiness
  • Loss of vision
  • Sees double or blurry
  • Stomachache/nausea

Other Problems

  • Poor coordination or balance
  • Blank stare/glassy eyed
  • Vomiting
  • Slurred speech
  • Slow to answer questions or follow directions
  • Easily distracted
  • Poor concentration
  • Strange or inappropriate
  • emotions (ie. laughing, crying, getting mad easily)
  • Not playing as well

What causes a concussion?

Any blow to the head, face or neck, or a blow to the body which causes a sudden jarring of the head may cause a concussion (ie. a ball to the head, being checked into the boards in hockey).

What should you do if an athlete gets a concussion?

The athlete should stop playing the sport right away. He/she should not be left alone and should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible that day. If an athlete is knocked out, call an ambulance to take him/her to a hospital immediately. Do not move the athlete or remove athletic equipment like a helmet; wait for paramedics to arrive.

An athlete with a concussion should not go back to play that day, even if he/she says he/she is feeling better. Problems caused by a head injury can get worse later that day or night. He/she should not return to sports until he/she has been seen by a doctor.

How long will it take for the athlete to get better?

The signs and symptoms of a concussion (see chart above) often last for 7-10 days but may last much longer. In some cases, children may take many weeks or months to heal. Having had previous concussions may increase the chance that a person may take longer to heal.

1) No activity, complete rest. Once back to normal and cleared by a doctor, go to step 2.

2) Light exercise such as walking or stationary cycling, for 10-15 minutes.

3) Sport specific activity (ie. skating in hockey, running in soccer), for 20-30 minutes.

4) On field” practice such as ball drills, shooting drills, and other activities with NO CONTACT (ie. no checking, no heading the ball, etc.).

5) “On field” practice with body contact, once cleared by a doctor.

6) Game play.

How long will it take for the athlete to get better?

The signs and symptoms of a concussion (see chart above) often last for 7-10 days but may last much longer. In some cases, children may take many weeks or months to heal. Having had previous concussions may increase the chance that a person may take longer to heal.

How is a concussion treated?

It is very important that an athlete does not go back to sports if he/she has any concussion symptoms or signs. Return to sport and activity must follow a step-wise approach:

Note: Each step must take a minimum of one day. If an athlete has any symptoms of a concussion (e.g. headache, feeling sick to his/her stomach) that come back either with activity, or later that day, he/she should stop the activity immediately and rest for 24 hours. The athlete should be seen by a doctor and cleared before starting the step wise protocol again.

Each step must take a minimum of one day, since concussion symptoms may be felt later in the day after activity.

When can an athlete with a concussion return to sport?

It is very important that an athlete not play any sports if he/she has any signs or symptoms of concussion. The athlete must rest until he/she is completely back to normal. When he/she has been back to normal and has been seen by a doctor, he/she can then go through the steps of increasing activity described above. When the athlete has progressed through these steps with no symptoms or problems, and has received clearance from a doctor, he/she may return to play. If you are unsure if an athlete should play, remember…when in doubt, sit them out.


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