Concussions can be very serious and the CMYGSA is committed to educating our coaches, parents and players about them.  All families should watch the following video and understand that if a coach takes your daughter out of play, it is for her own safety:

Parents should get a BASELINE TEST completed on their daughter prior to the start of the season.  For more information, please read our Concussion Handout For Parents.

If you would like more information or have any questions on concussions, please visit the website for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC).

ALL Coaches are REQUIRED to take this 45-MINUTE free online training course on concussions at least ONCE A YEAR.  If you want to be considered as a coach with the CMYGSA, please click on the picture below to take the training and make sure you allow yourself enough time to complete it in one sitting.  You will be required to attach a copy of your Certificate of Completion for the current calendar year when you submit your Manager Registration, so make sure you can print the certificate or take a picture of it on your computer screen.

The CMYGSA will take the following 5 steps if we suspect a participant has a concussion:

STEP 1:  Remove the athlete from play. Look for signs and symptoms of a concussion if the athlete has experienced a bump or blow to the head or body. When in doubt, coaches should keep the athlete out of play.

STEP 2: Ensure that the athlete is evaluated by a health care professional experienced in evaluating for concussion.

    Possible Local Phone Numbers

       - Canonsburg Hospital Concussion Clinic - 724-873-5955

       - Washington Hospital - 724-225-7000

STEP 3:  Recording the following information can help health care professionals in assessing the athlete after the injury:

• Cause of the injury and force of the hit or blow to the head or body
• Any loss of consciousness (passed out/knocked out) and if so, for how long
• Any memory loss immediately following the injury
• Any seizures immediately following the injury
• Number of previous concussions (if any)

STEP 4:  Inform the athlete’s parents or guardians about the possible concussion and give them the fact sheet on concussion.  Make sure they know that the athlete should be seen by a health care professional experienced in evaluating for concussion.

STEP 5:  Keep the athlete out of play the day of the injury and until a health care professional, experienced in evaluating for concussions, says they are symptom-free and it’s OK to return to play. A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain recovers from the first—usually within a short period of time (hours, days, or weeks)—can slow recovery or increase the likelihood of having long-term problems. In rare cases, repeat concussions can result in edema (brain swelling), permanent brain damage, and even death.