Concussion Awareness | Eden Prairie Track and Field Association

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Minnesota Concussion Law

It's now law in Minnesota that if young athletes show signs of a concussion, coaches must sideline them until they can get a medical all-clear. A concussion is a brain injury caused by a bump or blow to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Even what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious.

To help ensure the health and safety of our young athletes, the Centers for Disease Control developed the HEADS UP Concussion in Youth Sports initiative to offer information about concussions to coaches, parents, and athletes involved in youth sports. The HEADS UP initiative provides important information on preventing, recognizing, and responding to a concussion.

Concussion Policy

Eden Prairie Track and Field Association (EPTFA) will make information available to coaches, parents and athletes to aide their understanding of this important topic. Information regarding the risks and symptoms of concussions as well as our return to play procedures will be made available to everyone via our website. In addition, we will require our coaches to receive initial training on concussions and to repeat that training at least every three years.

Most importantly, any athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussions (such as the loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the contest and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health care professional (experienced in evaluating and managing concussions).

Return-To-Play Policy

If an athlete is removed from play because they are showing signs or symptoms of a concussion, Minnesota's Concussion Law requires they receive written authorization from a medical professional to return to play. Please provide a doctor's note to your head coach, once your athlete has been cleared.

Concussion Training and Additional Information

The following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) links provide additional information for Coaches, Officials, Athletes and Parents:

CDC Youth Sports Concussion Website: www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/index.html

CDC Concussion Training Link: www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.html

For Coaches

All concussions are serious. To help recognize a concussion, you should watch for the following two things among your athletes:

1. A forceful blow to the head or body that results in rapid movement of the head.
AND
2. Any change in the athlete's behavior, thinking, or physical functioning.

Fact Sheet For Coaches

Coach Training

All EPTFA coaches and assistant coaches are required to complete this training. There are instructions on the Certification page.

For Parents

What should you do if you think your child has a concussion?

• Seek medical attention.
• Keep your child out of play. A child may NOT return to play until a medical professional says it's OK. Children who return to play too soon risk a greater chance of having a second concussion.
• Tell your child's coach about any recent concussion.

Fact Sheet for Parents

Fact Sheet for Parents and Athletes

For Athletes

What should I do if I think I have a concussion?

• Tell your coaches and your parents. Never ignore a blow to the head, even if you feel fine.
• Get a medical check up. A doctor can tell you if you have a concussion and when it is safe for you to return to play.
• Give yourself time to get better. Your brain needs time to heal.

Fact Sheet for Athletes

Fact Sheet for Parents and Athletes