Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic Brain Injuries (also known as Concussions)

There is an ever-increasing number of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) – we often call them ‘concussions’ but they are indeed traumatic brain injuries – reported as resulting from youth sports today. 

A TBI (concussion) is an injury that changes how the cells in the brain normally work.  The TBI is caused by a blow to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull.  Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious.  TBIs can also result from a fall or from players colliding with each other or with obstacles, such as a goalpost.  You can’t see a TBI (concussion).  Signs and symptoms of TBI can show up right after the injury or may not appear or be noticed until days or weeks after the injury (reference CDC site).

CCYS takes this matter seriously and are addressing this in our program.  It is our goal to instruct all coaches in traumatic brain injury (TBI) awareness.  CCYS and the BAYS (Boston Area Youth Soccer) Travel league requires all coaches and assistants to take the Center for Disease Control (CDC) online training course.  We also encourage parents to take the CDC training in order to be better informed.  

Please review the CCYS policy on Suspected Brain Trauma Injury below and then click on the CDC link on Concussion Awareness to take the training.

CCYS policy on Suspected Brain Trauma Injury - March 2012 

  • All coaches are required to sit a player out for the remainder of a practice or game if the player sustains a blow to the head or a jarring collision  that causes the coach to suspect a possible mild or traumatic brain injury.  
  • The coach should notify the parents of the incident.  CCYS coaches are parent volunteers who, with very limited exception, are not medically trained or certified and may not be able to spot a situation in which a player may have sustained a head or other injury. 
  • It is not the responsibility of CCYS coaches to determine when an injury has or may have occurred.  If a coach requires a player to sit out, the player's parents should not return their child to play until the player is seen and given permission to return to full play again by a medical professional. 
  • The coach retains the prerogative to prevent the player from returning to the field if the coach feels that the player is still at risk.  The parent bears the responsibility to ensure the child is healthy enough to play. 

Click here to go to the CDC On-line course for Injury Prevention & Control: Traumatic Brain Injury

 After completing the course, fill out the certificate of course completion (before navigating away from the page) and forward it to Heidi for our records.  Completion of this course is required for all coaches and assistants coaching in the BAYS (Travel) league. We highly suggest it for the InTown program as well.

Click here to for more information at the CDC website or use the links below.