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[sounderfan]

Just posted this today:

http://goalwa.wordpress.com/2011/10/18/korrio-axon-sports-to-raise-awareness-about-concussion-risk-in-youth-soccer/

[sounderfan]

See also: http://www.braininjurywa.org/

[keepermom]

My daughter is seeing first hand how serious concussions can be.  She's a math peer tutor for one of her classes.  Her assignment for the foreseeable future is to tutor a kid who was "lit up" at a football game 2 weeks ago.  He's a college bound junior taking Algebra 2 and AP classes... he's now struggling with 2+2.  His brain just cannot compute numbers at all right now.  They are hoping and praying that once the swelling in his brain goes all the way down he will regain full cognitive function, but there's not way to know for sure. 

[Oneblindmouse]

This has become a hot topic amongst us referees.  Used to be that you would give the kid a moment to "collect their thoughts" with any type of head contact (ball or another head), now the moment you see a kid go down involving head contact we should be stopping play and bringing the coach onto the field.  This is too serious an issue to ignore or hope isn't too serious.  Better to stop play and see to the player than to risk a concussion that doesn't display the severe obvious symptoms.
I was an AR at a HS game where we actually had a coach attempt to sub back in a player who left the field complaining of not being able to see out of their left eye, because the player said they felt alright now...and the coach told me he was going to file a protest if we didn't allow the player to be subbed back in.  We said go right ahead, but your player is not stepping back on this field and we will be including the fact that you tried to sub back in a head injury. 

[erickb]

Daughter who is a keeper GU14 has had 2 concussions (1 major with symptoms lasting weeks) in the past and now wears a Full90 helmet which saved her from what would have been a 3rd this year after taking a brutal (put very fair challenge)  hit in her first game of the season. Had to go to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital because we knew she just got another one but that helmet as small as it is saved her/us big time. Something to think about if your kid has had a concussion, our son BU16 player does not wear one but he has had no head injuries to date, so no agenda just saying they are good to use for a player with history 

[AmandaDad]

I've always felt that if you get a concussion you should be required to wear one of the various soccer head protectors to play again that sports year. Seems silly to make such a case that we have to take concussions so much more seriously now than we did in the past but at the same time let "injured" players basically make the call on their own about when they are ready to play again safely.

[Brat Jr]

while there is no conclusive evidence that head gear will help stop concussions, it seems like even something that might help in the long run would be great.

Concussions happen when the brain gets rattled around inside the skull.
Padding around the skull ( head gear ) won't really lessen the jiggling inside but might absorb some of the impact of a direct hit

Do a search on here using "head gear" in quotes. Some great links and opinions!

[MA]

I thought I wasnt still registered here but I am so Im chiming in.........    my daughter is out right now from HS soccer with a concussion she received last Thurs night. Both players were on the ground and the player from the other team kicked my daughter in the head. How that could have happened......... I dont know     She was checked out by a coach and allowed to re-enter the game. She was feeling sick and head hurt. I didnt know..I was in the stands. Anyway... next day dr. appt confirmed it. Im just glad nothing else happened while she played another half feeling quite ill. 
Shes worn headgear in the past but it wouldnt have helped in this instance.  Another girl on her team got one as well same game... two girls going up for ball and hit heads. Ambulance ride and 11 stitches later...... ouch.

[Bathos]

... She was checked out by a coach and allowed to re-enter the game. She was feeling sick and head hurt. I didnt know..I was in the stands. Anyway... next day dr. appt confirmed it. Im just glad nothing else happened while she played another half feeling quite ill. 
...

Sounds like the coach needs to reread the concussion compliance law.

[gimmevino]

Last year, my DD got a concussion during a high school game. She and opposing player went up for a header. My daughter hit her head against the other gals nose. DD got up, took two steps and hit the ground. Other gal broke her nose. Carried off the field on a back board, ambulance ride amd long night in the ER. Sure enough, severe concussion, out several weeks. A few days later saw a doctor/concussion specialist. IMPACT testing confirmed severe concussion. Spent a couple weeks on modified education plan because she couldn't focus. NO electronics, and lots of rest.

I asked about headgear. He said, "Don't spend the money. It cushions the outside of the head. Concussions occur when the brain sloshes around inside the skull." I also asked about stopping soccer all together. he said, "No way. She may never get another one. And, I wouldnt encourage a kid to stop playing a sport they love. Just use caution and be aware of how close you are to other players.". I have to admit everytime she goes up for a header now, I hold my breath!

Bottom line is, do what YOU think is best for YOUR kid.

[MA]

last nights game 4 girls from our team were helped off the team by the coach. Only one returned. Now we have 8 varsity players injured. One is a knee injury, one took an elbow to the head and not sure how that will turn out... our keep was taken out by the opposing teams forward and her arm was hurt but she returned to play and the last one was the worst... player not even involved in a play... takes an elbow to her nose... its turned sideways and blood gushing out. No card for the girl who did it...but.... get this.... she is hysterical and lets out an F bomb while the blood is flowing.... Ref gives HER a red card. Wow...just wow. Not sure if there will be a concussion in this group. Possibly with the first head injury.  Its getting rough out there.

[Brat Jr]

right now I'm thankful that Miki plays on JV.
With the less experienced girls, it seems that they don't challenge for the ball as much in the air lessening the chances for head butts and concussions.

Miki had a concussion in June. Took her until the 2nd week of Oct to get over the fear of another and head the ball again.

Hope all the girls recover from all these

[Oneblindmouse]

... She was checked out by a coach and allowed to re-enter the game. She was feeling sick and head hurt. I didnt know..I was in the stands. Anyway... next day dr. appt confirmed it. Im just glad nothing else happened while she played another half feeling quite ill. 
...

Sounds like the coach needs to reread the concussion compliance law.

As a referee, I have had to sign the Concussion compliance form, just the same as all coaches are supposed to, and I agree, this coach needs to reread the form s/he signed.  Coaches need to remember that they are the ones legally liable if they let a player play in a game after a suspected head injury.  The ONLY way to clear yourself of this liability is to have an actual medical professional (this does not include EMT's by the way) who is trained in diagnosing concussions give the okay.  Allowing the player to tell you they are okay is like giving a blank check to the parents.

[Hit_the_Heifer]

This has become a hot topic amongst us referees. Used to be that you would give the kid a moment to "collect their thoughts" with any type of head contact (ball or another head), now the moment you see a kid go down involving head contact we should be stopping play and bringing the coach onto the field.  This is too serious an issue to ignore or hope isn't too serious.  Better to stop play and see to the player than to risk a concussion that doesn't display the severe obvious symptoms.
I was an AR at a HS game where we actually had a coach attempt to sub back in a player who left the field complaining of not being able to see out of their left eye, because the player said they felt alright now...and the coach told me he was going to file a protest if we didn't allow the player to be subbed back in.  We said go right ahead, but your player is not stepping back on this field and we will be including the fact that you tried to sub back in a head injury. 

Interesting issue........Seems like an awfully slippery slope to me........

Question 1:  Please describe your medical education and training in relation to diagnosing a concussion?

Question 2:  Please explain why you, in your capacity as a soccer referee, felt you were better situated than the coach (and possibly the coach's training staff) to determine the medical status of the player in question than the coach?

Question 3:  Please describe your involvement in determining the player's status after the player was removed from the field.  Presumably, as an AR, you were busy fulfilling the role to which you were assigned, i.e., assisting the center referee with determining offside infractions, ball exiting play, etc., and did not participate in any discussion or evaluation of the player on the bench.  Please describe the diagnostic criteria on which you relied?

Nausea?                        
Vomiting?                        
Balance problems?                        
Dizziness?                        
Fatigue?                        
Drowsiness?                        
Light sensitivity?                        
Noise sensitivity?                                           
Numbness?                        
Feeling "slow"?                        
Feeling "foggy"?                        
Difficulty concentrating?                        
Difficulty remembering?                        
Visual problems?

Question 4:  Assume that post-game a physician determines that the player you refused to allow to re-enter the game was not concussed.  What recourse should the player and the team have against you, if any?  If you assume the responsibility/authority to exclude people from participating, shouldn't you also be required to accept the consequences if your diagnosis was wrong???

Question 5:  Assume that the opposing coach, after seeing head-to-head contact between two players and seeing how an opposing player responds, vehemently maintains that the opposing player has been concussed but his player is not concussed.  What do you do?  Keep both players out?  Keep one player out? 

[Brat Jr]

When in doubt, sit them out!
I'd rather err on the side of caution then spend the next few hours waiting for results in the ER!

[Oneblindmouse]

This has become a hot topic amongst us referees. Used to be that you would give the kid a moment to "collect their thoughts" with any type of head contact (ball or another head), now the moment you see a kid go down involving head contact we should be stopping play and bringing the coach onto the field.  This is too serious an issue to ignore or hope isn't too serious.  Better to stop play and see to the player than to risk a concussion that doesn't display the severe obvious symptoms.
I was an AR at a HS game where we actually had a coach attempt to sub back in a player who left the field complaining of not being able to see out of their left eye, because the player said they felt alright now...and the coach told me he was going to file a protest if we didn't allow the player to be subbed back in.  We said go right ahead, but your player is not stepping back on this field and we will be including the fact that you tried to sub back in a head injury. 

Interesting issue........Seems like an awfully slippery slope to me........Not really, just following the Lystedt Law's guidelines

Question 1:  Please describe your medical education and training in relation to diagnosing a concussion?
None needed, per the Law, it is about "suspecting" or "better safe than sorry"

Question 2:  Please explain why you, in your capacity as a soccer referee, felt you were better situated than the coach (and possibly the coach's training staff) to determine the medical status of the player in question than the coach?
Per the Law, an athlete suspected of a possible concussion cannot return to a game/practice until evaluated by a licensed physician trained in the diagnosis and management of concussions and given written medical authorization.  Those currently allowed to provide return-to-play authorizations are: Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP), Physicians Assistant (PA), Licensed Certified Athletic Trainers (AT/L)


Question 3:  Please describe your involvement in determining the player's status after the player was removed from the field.  Presumably, as an AR, you were busy fulfilling the role to which you were assigned, i.e., assisting the center referee with determining offside infractions, ball exiting play, etc., and did not participate in any discussion or evaluation of the player on the bench.  Please describe the diagnostic criteria on which you relied?
The Law is clear, once a player is suspected to have a concussion, they cannot return until they have a written medical authorization, we were merely enforcing that, apparently against the wishes of the coach.  I would categorize complaining of not being able to see out of her left eye as a "visual problem"   

Nausea?                        
Vomiting?                        
Balance problems?                        
Dizziness?                        
Fatigue?                        
Drowsiness?                        
Light sensitivity?                        
Noise sensitivity?                                           
Numbness?                        
Feeling "slow"?                        
Feeling "foggy"?                        
Difficulty concentrating?                        
Difficulty remembering?                        
Visual problems?

Question 4:  Assume that post-game a physician determines that the player you refused to allow to re-enter the game was not concussed.  What recourse should the player and the team have against you, if any?  If you assume the responsibility/authority to exclude people from participating, shouldn't you also be required to accept the consequences if your diagnosis was wrong??? As a referee, there are no recourses against us in this situation, we were merely doining what the Law requires.  If the player is cleared after the fact, then great I am happy for the player and they will get back to playing immediately.  The alternative is completely unacceptable, to let the player play just because I am worried that the coach will file a formal complaint against me because their star player won't be able to play until cleared??? and then they suffer another blow to the head and end up with permanent inuries?  Which end of that decision would you prefer??

Question 5:  Assume that the opposing coach, after seeing head-to-head contact between two players and seeing how an opposing player responds, vehemently maintains that the opposing player has been concussed but his player is not concussed.  What do you do?  Keep both players out?  Keep one player out?  This would be the slippery slope I would worry about, the gamesmanship aspect.  But, this goes back to the authority of the referee, and whether or not we "suspect" a concussion.  If I don't see anything to cause me to suspect a concussion, then I let the player play, but if I see anything to make me suspect a concussion, then the player is out, and it goes into my game report.

This is too serious an issue to be playing around with.  I will always err on the side of caution, it's just not worth risking some child's future for a few extra minutes/hours of game time.

[Hit_the_Heifer]

When in doubt, sit them out!
I'd rather err on the side of caution then spend the next few hours waiting for results in the ER!

I have no quibble with the concept of sitting a player out. Concussions are serious.  I experienced two during my career.

However, I do have concerns over who is allowed to make the determination that a player is concussed.

Clearly, a parent can make a decision to withdraw a child from a match and sit them out.  Clearly, coach of a player can make the decision.

Referee: ??  Why should a referee, whose "day job" more than likely does not involve making medical diagnosis, be given authority to make a medical decision simply by virtue of slipping on a yellow/black/blue/fuscia shirt over their head?

Opposing coach:  ??  What if the opposing coach is a physician?  See, e.g., Dr. Mark Raney, head coach at Sultan HS (boys).  

Opposing team training staff:?? (I used to have a player on my team whose father was a physician.  Player's father provided medical assistance to players during the match)

Parent from opposing team who is a board certified physician??  Lots of physicians on the sidelines watching.  If serious injury arises, I have observed them frequently come on to the field.

[Oneblindmouse]

When in doubt, sit them out!
I'd rather err on the side of caution then spend the next few hours waiting for results in the ER!

I have no quibble with the concept of sitting a player out. Concussions are serious.  I experienced two during my career.

However, I do have concerns over who is allowed to make the determination that a player is concussed.

Clearly, a parent can make a decision to withdraw a child from a match and sit them out.  Clearly, coach of a player can make the decision.

Referee: ??  Why should a referee, whose "day job" more than likely does not involve making medical diagnosis, be given authority to make a medical decision simply by virtue of slipping on a yellow/black/blue/fuscia shirt over their head?

Opposing coach:  ??  What if the opposing coach is a physician?  See, e.g., Dr. Mark Raney, head coach at Sultan HS (boys). 

Opposing team training staff:?? (I used to have a player on my team whose father was a physician.  Player's father provided medical assistance to players during the match)

Parent from opposing team who is a board certified physician??  Lots of physicians on the sidelines watching.  If serious injury arises, I have observed them frequently come on to the field.

Looking back at my comments, I have been too general about when and where the Lystedt Law applies.  It only applies to school games/practices and games/practices taking place on school grounds with prior approval from the school district.  This Law does not directly apply to Club/Rec games/pratices that happen off of school grounds, but many Associations are requiring the Concussion form to be signed by all of their players/parents/coaches.  Our referee association doesn't require a concussion form, but we do require training based on the Lystedt Law as we fully support it's intent, too safeguard the players from debilitating lifelong injuries.

Due to the fact the the Law states that we merely have to "suspect" a concussion relieves the referees from needing formal medical training, or to have to formally diagnose a concussion.  According to the Law, even having a parent/coach on the sidelines who is qualified to clear the player does not necessarily get the player back on the field, they have to put it in writing.  I would also think that a parent/coach who could clear a player would prefer to actually examine the player in a medical setting rather than at the field.

[tripleplay]

One side effect is that players themselves are now motivated to hide their concussions, because they've heard stories of how their friends missed state cup etc. and blame what they believe was excessive caution on the part of the medical community.

[Oneblindmouse]

One side effect is that players themselves are now motivated to hide their concussions, because they've heard stories of how their friends missed state cup etc. and blame what they believe was excessive caution on the part of the medical community.

I could definitely see that happening, especially the more gung-ho players.  Although in the situations I have experienced, both as a coach and a referee, the players have a pretty hard time hiding their symptoms, although sometimes it does take a little while for symptoms to appear.

[Hit_the_Heifer]

This has become a hot topic amongst us referees. Used to be that you would give the kid a moment to "collect their thoughts" with any type of head contact (ball or another head), now the moment you see a kid go down involving head contact we should be stopping play and bringing the coach onto the field.  This is too serious an issue to ignore or hope isn't too serious.  Better to stop play and see to the player than to risk a concussion that doesn't display the severe obvious symptoms.
I was an AR at a HS game where we actually had a coach attempt to sub back in a player who left the field complaining of not being able to see out of their left eye, because the player said they felt alright now...and the coach told me he was going to file a protest if we didn't allow the player to be subbed back in.  We said go right ahead, but your player is not stepping back on this field and we will be including the fact that you tried to sub back in a head injury. 

Interesting issue........Seems like an awfully slippery slope to me........Not really, just following the Lystedt Law's guidelines  Can you point to the language in the statute where it authorizes a referee to make a determination that a player has been concussed, or did you simply assume that you have such authority under subsection (3)? 

Question 1:  Please describe your medical education and training in relation to diagnosing a concussion?
None needed, per the Law, it is about "suspecting" or "better safe than sorry"

 If you, as opposed to the coach, a parent, or a physician are going to make medical diagnosis, I would hope you would be at least willing to share your education and training

Question 2:  Please explain why you, in your capacity as a soccer referee, felt you were better situated than the coach (and possibly the coach's training staff) to determine the medical status of the player in question than the coach?
Per the Law, an athlete suspected of a possible concussion cannot return to a game/practice until evaluated by a licensed physician trained in the diagnosis and management of concussions and given written medical authorization.  Those currently allowed to provide return-to-play authorizations are: Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP), Physicians Assistant (PA), Licensed Certified Athletic Trainers (AT/L)


 You are missing the point.  Maybe you are physician at Children's Hospital for your "real job" and refereeing is your hobby.  If so, I have no issue with you "suspecting" someone has a concussion.  If you are lawyer, an accountant, a truck driver, a checker at Costco, a Microsoft engineer, then I have an issue with you, as a referee, playing doctor.  The issue is whom is allowed to make the original decision.

Question 3:  Please describe your involvement in determining the player's status after the player was removed from the field.  Presumably, as an AR, you were busy fulfilling the role to which you were assigned, i.e., assisting the center referee with determining offside infractions, ball exiting play, etc., and did not participate in any discussion or evaluation of the player on the bench.  Please describe the diagnostic criteria on which you relied?
The Law is clear, once a player is suspected to have a concussion, they cannot return until they have a written medical authorization, we were merely enforcing that, apparently against the wishes of the coach.  I would categorize complaining of not being able to see out of her left eye as a "visual problem"   

 Objection, non-responsive.  Did you cease your AR duties?  Answer is, "no" you didn't.  For all you know the kid lost his/her contact.  Your "snap decision" illustrates my point.  As a ref, your role is not to make these sorts of decisions.

Nausea?                        
Vomiting?                        
Balance problems?                        
Dizziness?                        
Fatigue?                        
Drowsiness?                        
Light sensitivity?                        
Noise sensitivity?                                           
Numbness?                        
Feeling "slow"?                        
Feeling "foggy"?                        
Difficulty concentrating?                        
Difficulty remembering?                        
Visual problems?

Question 4:  Assume that post-game a physician determines that the player you refused to allow to re-enter the game was not concussed.  What recourse should the player and the team have against you, if any?  If you assume the responsibility/authority to exclude people from participating, shouldn't you also be required to accept the consequences if your diagnosis was wrong??? As a referee, there are no recourses against us in this situation, we were merely doining what the Law requires.  If the player is cleared after the fact, then great I am happy for the player and they will get back to playing immediately.  The alternative is completely unacceptable, to let the player play just because I am worried that the coach will file a formal complaint against me because their star player won't be able to play until cleared??? and then they suffer another blow to the head and end up with permanent inuries?  Which end of that decision would you prefer??

 There is no legal recourse against you, but don't you feel a tiny bit bad about excluding a perfectly healthy person from playing based on nothing more than your hunch, for which you have no training?

Question 5:  Assume that the opposing coach, after seeing head-to-head contact between two players and seeing how an opposing player responds, vehemently maintains that the opposing player has been concussed but his player is not concussed.  What do you do?  Keep both players out?  Keep one player out?  This would be the slippery slope I would worry about, the gamesmanship aspect.  But, this goes back to the authority of the referee, and whether or not we "suspect" a concussion.  If I don't see anything to cause me to suspect a concussion, then I let the player play, but if I see anything to make me suspect a concussion, then the player is out, and it goes into my game report.

This is too serious an issue to be playing around with.  I will always err on the side of caution, it's just not worth risking some child's future for a few extra minutes/hours of game time.

  How about just calling the game and leave the medical decisions to parents, coaches, and training staffs?

[ThiKuBC]

Head gear could lead to an excessive feeling of safety thus leading to move head contacts and potential concussions. I don't support them ....

[erickb]

Head gear could lead to an excessive feeling of safety thus leading to move head contacts and potential concussions. I don't support them ....

maybe but I don't think that would be the case, most who wear them have had injuries so they don't push any harder with them. I see these same type of arguments for wearing neck braces in the motocross/supermoto racing circle but after seeing a 17 year without his neck brace, break his neck on a jump my kids did not race without them.

[tripleplay]

One side effect is that players themselves are now motivated to hide their concussions, because they've heard stories of how their friends missed state cup etc. and blame what they believe was excessive caution on the part of the medical community.

I could definitely see that happening, especially the more gung-ho players.  Although in the situations I have experienced, both as a coach and a referee, the players have a pretty hard time hiding their symptoms, although sometimes it does take a little while for symptoms to appear.

Have heard high school boys talking about playing with concussions like it's a badge of honor. Not saying that I'm against the law. I do think that the suspicion of concussions has a lot to do with how the player himself is reacting.

[Hit_the_Heifer]

This has become a hot topic amongst us referees.  Used to be that you would give the kid a moment to "collect their thoughts" with any type of head contact (ball or another head), now the moment you see a kid go down involving head contact we should be stopping play and bringing the coach onto the field.  This is too serious an issue to ignore or hope isn't too serious.  Better to stop play and see to the player than to risk a concussion that doesn't display the severe obvious symptoms.
I was an AR at a HS game where we actually had a coach attempt to sub back in a player who left the field complaining of not being able to see out of their left eye, because the player said they felt alright now...and the coach told me he was going to file a protest if we didn't allow the player to be subbed back in.  We said go right ahead, but your player is not stepping back on this field and we will be including the fact that you tried to sub back in a head injury.

As of Dec 2010, here is the official position of the Washington Officials Association (WOA), which governs all high school referees:

"When a player is removed by an official for signs or symptoms of a concussion, the coach is responsible for making sure the player is evaluated to determine whether or not the player has actually suffered a concussion. If after the evaluation, the player is deemed to not have suffered a concussion, the player can return to the game. If, on the other hand, the player is deemed to have suffered a concussion, the player will not return to play until being seen by a doctor. So, if a player returns to play, the officials should trust that the process has been followed.  If you witness a player who exhibits signs or symptoms of a concussion, you are to do the following:

Explain to the coach what you have witnessed and inform the coach that the player is being removed from the contest. Take another official with you when possible.

Write down the player’s number and time of game the player was removed.

At this point, the coach is responsible for making sure the player seeks proper medical care.

DO NOT ask for a note when the player returns to play. The decision for the player to return is solely the responsibility of school personnel.  It is important that officials follow the steps outlined by the WOA. Not following the approved steps may place an official’s insurance coverage in jeopardy."

Oneblindmouse, according to your governing organization, as AR you had the authority to remove the player if you "suspected" player was concussed.  However, you did not have the authority to prevent the player from returning to the game.  Let's hope, for your sake, the coach did not file a protest.  As someone who requires players and coaches to follow certain rules and policies, I hope you will follow your own organization's rules/policies regarding the referee's role in enforcing the concussion law.

[SaraBellum]

heard of a player with a concussion- cleared by doctor, but not cleared by the computerized baseline test..... lesson the player learned 'next time I won't tell them I hurt my head'. Is a one time test on a computer enough to provide an accurate baseline?

[Oneblindmouse]

As of Dec 2010, here is the official position of the Washington Officials Association (WOA), which governs all high school referees:

"When a player is removed by an official for signs or symptoms of a concussion, the coach is responsible for making sure the player is evaluated to determine whether or not the player has actually suffered a concussion. If after the evaluation, the player is deemed to not have suffered a concussion, the player can return to the game. If, on the other hand, the player is deemed to have suffered a concussion, the player will not return to play until being seen by a doctor. So, if a player returns to play, the officials should trust that the process has been followed.  If you witness a player who exhibits signs or symptoms of a concussion, you are to do the following:

Explain to the coach what you have witnessed and inform the coach that the player is being removed from the contest. Take another official with you when possible.

Write down the player’s number and time of game the player was removed.

At this point, the coach is responsible for making sure the player seeks proper medical care.

DO NOT ask for a note when the player returns to play. The decision for the player to return is solely the responsibility of school personnel.  It is important that officials follow the steps outlined by the WOA. Not following the approved steps may place an official’s insurance coverage in jeopardy."

Oneblindmouse, according to your governing organization, as AR you had the authority to remove the player if you "suspected" player was concussed.  However, you did not have the authority to prevent the player from returning to the game.  Let's hope, for your sake, the coach did not file a protest.  As someone who requires players and coaches to follow certain rules and policies, I hope you will follow your own organization's rules/policies regarding the referee's role in enforcing the concussion law.

You are correct, we did not follow the WOA's position in this particular situation.  That was my bad, and also the Ctr's mistake, in not allowing her to return to the game.  I guess our over-riding concern for her safety got in the way of caring about whether our collective butts were covered by insurance.

I am not a doctor or medical professional, but I, and most of the rest of the referees in WA, have been given training by a local medical professional who speciaizes in concussions, in order that we can recognize the symptoms of a possible concussion.  I never make the determination, I merely state that I am concerned, due to the player exhibitng one or more signs, and therefore am removing them from the game.  In this particular instance we did apparently overstep our mandate.

Do I feel bad about denying a possibly healthy player a chance to play?  Hard to answer, as she was never examined by a medical professional at that game I have no way of knowing if she was "healthy" or not.  Having seen the effects of permanent damage to a concussed youth, I will still err on the side of caution any day of the week.  Having gained more experience, I will also let the coach sub the player back in, but I will also make sure to note that in my report. 

As for "just calling the game" and leaving the medical decisions to the coach/parent/training staff, I still don't get why you are calling this a "medical decision"?  IMHO, we did the coach a favor, since he never followed up on what he is legally obligated to do, and no she did not lose her contact, she was sitting in the middle of the field crying because she couldn't see out of her left eye.  She made the statement to the Ctr that she could not see out of her left eye, we did not make some snap judgement about her, we took the information she voluntarily gave us, and applied it to the training we have been given.

The WOA's stance is strictly to cover our butts for our insurance, it does not follow the spirit of the Law, but instead seeks to shift the responsibility(if it comes to that) onto the school personnel.

[Bathos]

How about just calling the game and leave the medical decisions to parents, coaches, and training staffs?

Since, as you point out, gamesmanship may occur on this, why would you exclude the one non-biased opinion?  Oddly, the law does just that http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Law%202009/1824.SL.pdf and it doesn't mention referees or officials.

On the other hand, it is clear that the intent of the law is that the medical decisions (on the ability to return to play) are to be left to medical professionals, NOT parents, coaches, or training staffs.

So, while 'oneblindmouse' may have errored in overstepping his authority by sitting the player, the coach is violating the spirt and letter of the law.

[Hit_the_Heifer]

So, while 'oneblindmouse' may have errored in overstepping his authority by sitting the player, the coach is violating the spirt and letter of the law.

You have created a strawman to deflect from the issue being discussed.  The issue was never about the coach.   If the coach failed to act appropriately, the school AD can take appropriate action, or the player's parents can take appropriate action via the legal system.  The issue I raised concerned the authority of a soccer referee to preclude a player from re-entering a match based on nothing more than the referee's opinion that the player was not medically ready to re-enter the match.

   

[Hit_the_Heifer]

You are correct, we did not follow the WOA's position in this particular situation.  That was my bad, and also the Ctr's mistake, in not allowing her to return to the game.  I guess our over-riding concern for her safety got in the way of caring about whether our collective butts were covered by insurance.

I am not a doctor or medical professional, but I, and most of the rest of the referees in WA, have been given training by a local medical professional who speciaizes in concussions, in order that we can recognize the symptoms of a possible concussion.  I never make the determination, I merely state that I am concerned, due to the player exhibitng one or more signs, and therefore am removing them from the game.  In this particular instance we did apparently overstep our mandate.

Do I feel bad about denying a possibly healthy player a chance to play?  Hard to answer, as she was never examined by a medical professional at that game I have no way of knowing if she was "healthy" or not.  Having seen the effects of permanent damage to a concussed youth, I will still err on the side of caution any day of the week.  Having gained more experience, I will also let the coach sub the player back in, but I will also make sure to note that in my report. 

As for "just calling the game" and leaving the medical decisions to the coach/parent/training staff, I still don't get why you are calling this a "medical decision"?  IMHO, we did the coach a favor, since he never followed up on what he is legally obligated to do, and no she did not lose her contact, she was sitting in the middle of the field crying because she couldn't see out of her left eye.  She made the statement to the Ctr that she could not see out of her left eye, we did not make some snap judgement about her, we took the information she voluntarily gave us, and applied it to the training we have been given.

The WOA's stance is strictly to cover our butts for our insurance, it does not follow the spirit of the Law, but instead seeks to shift the responsibility(if it comes to that) onto the school personnel.

I appreciate your candor in acknowledging you failed to follow WOA protocol and guidelines.  Now, about the protest you suggested the coach would be a fool to file....

You indicated that "I never make the determination, I merely state that I am concerned, due to the player exhibiting one or more signs, and therefore am removing them from the game."  But that is not what you did.  You refused to allow the player to re-enter, which is what caught my attention (and apparently caught the coach's attention).  In refusing to allow the player to re-enter the game, you necessarily had to make a medically related decision.  You decided that the player was not medically "fit" to re-enter the game.  Here are your exact words:  "We said go right ahead, but your player is not stepping back on this field and we will be including the fact that you tried to sub back in a head injury."  You "diagnosed" the player as having suffered a "head injury."  My only point is that this is not your role.   

You indicated that:  "Having gained more experience, I will also let the coach sub the player back in, but I will also make sure to note that in my report."  Perfect.

Word to the wise:  given how litigious our society has become, you definitely do not want to take an action for which there is no insurance coverage.  The $37.00 per game they pay (or whatever the salary is these days) is not worth the risk!  Stick with the WOA's advice!