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January 22, 2010 Archive | Concussions | Ask the Expert

Positive Coaching Alliance Each week, we ask fans of Responsible Sports "What Would You Do?" in response to our weekly Responsible Sports Scenario Question. And many of you write in with scenario questions of your own! So we've asked Tina Syer, Associate Director at Positive Coaching Alliance, to answer one of your suggested questions each week.

Posted on January 22, 2010: Concussions

A Responsible Sports Fan suggested the following Scenario Question:

Your nine year old son is playing football. He gets hit hard and is knocked down to the ground. After a few seconds, he gets up without losing consciousness. He seems a little dazed and wobbles back to the bench but states he is okay. Should the coach allow him to go back in and play since the nine year old says he is feeling better?

Dear "Millie,"

With all that is surfacing right now around concussion issues with football, I can't help but err on the side of caution with this one. Youth athletes almost always want to go back into the game (even when they may be injured), and it is up to the coaches to be the voice of reason.

If a player leaves the field visibly dazed and wobbly, a Responsible Coach would get him checked out as quickly as possible by a trainer, and his playing for the day would be over. The severity of head injuries is not always visible immediately, so the coaches would keep a close eye on this player (or have a parent or trainer do this) while he remains on the sidelines.

Coaches in this situation should also be sure to inform the player's parent(s) about this. This way the parents will know to keep a close eye on their son at home.

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Tina Syer Ask the Expert
Tina Syer is the Associate Director of Positive Coaching Alliance, a nonprofit founded in the Stanford University Athletic Department.  Tina played Division I field hockey at Stanford University, where she graduated with honors in psychology and was named an Academic All-American. 

Her nine years of work for PCA have included keynote presentations for national organizations such as US Lacrosse, USA Water Polo and Special Olympics, more than 250 PCA workshop presentations, and production of multimedia products featuring PCA's National Spokesperson, Phil Jackson.  Tina's coaching experience includes seasons at the high school, college and Olympic Development levels.

Want to submit a question of your own - either to get feedback from the Responsible Sports community or from Tina?

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