**Concussion certification link at the bottom of the page**

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. This fast movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging the brain cells.

Sports are a great way for children and teens to stay healthy and can help them do well in school. To help lower the chances of a child or teen from getting a concussion or other serious brain injury, you should:

• Help create a culture of safety for the team.
  • Work with their parents/guardians to teach ways to lower the chances of getting a concussion.
  • Talk with your team and parents/guardians about concussion and ask if they have concerns about reporting a concussion. Talk with them about their concerns; emphasize the importance of reporting concussions and taking time to recover from one.
  • Ensure that they follow the BBA's policies for safety and the rules of the sport.
  • Tell your athletes that you expect them to practice good sportsmanship at all times.
• When appropriate for the sport or activity, teach your athletes that they must wear a helmet to lower the chances of the most serious types of brain or head injury. However, there is no “concussion-proof” helmet. So, even with a helmet, it is important for children and teens to avoid hits to the head.

Children and teens who show or report one or more of the signs and symptoms listed below—or simply say they just “don’t feel right” after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body—may have a concussion or other serious brain injury.

Signs Observed by Parents or Coaches

• Appears dazed or stunned.
• Forgets an instruction, is confused about an assignment or position, or is unsure of the game, score, or opponent.
• Moves clumsily.
• Answers questions slowly.
• Loses consciousness (even briefly).
• Shows mood, behavior, or personality changes.
• Can’t recall events prior to or after a hit or fall.

Symptoms Reported by Children and Teens

• Headache or “pressure” in head.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Balance problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision. 
• Bothered by light or noise.
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy.
• Confusion, or concentration or memory problems.
• Just not “feeling right,” or “feeling down.”

Talk with your team and parents/guardians about concussion. Tell them to report their concussion symptoms to you and the the BBA Compliance Committee right away. Some children, teens, and parents/guardians think concussions aren’t serious or worry that if they report a concussion the athlete will lose their position on the team or look weak. Be sure to remind them that it’s better to miss one game than the whole season.

Concussions affect each child and teen differently. While most children and teens with a concussion feel better within a couple of weeks, some will have symptoms for months or longer. Encourage your athletes and parents/guardians to speak with their health care provider if a child or teen's concussion symptoms do not go away or if they get worse after they return to their regular activities.

In rare cases, a dangerous collection of blood (hematoma) may form on the brain after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body and can squeeze the brain against the skull. Call 9-1-1 or take your child or teen to the emergency department right away if, after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, he or she has one or more of these danger signs:

• One pupil larger than the other.
• Drowsiness or inability to wake up.
• A headache that gets worse and does not go away.
• Slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination.
• Repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures (shaking or twitching).
• Unusual behavior, increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation.
• Loss of consciousness (passed out/knocked out). Even a brief loss of consciousness should be taken seriously.

Children and teens who continue to play while having concussion symptoms or who return to play too soon—while the brain is still healing— have a greater chance of getting another concussion. A repeat concussion that occurs while the brain is still healing from the first injury can be very serious and can affect a child or teen for a lifetime. It can even be fatal.

What should I do If a child or teen has a possible concussion? As a coach, if you think an athlete has a concussion, you should:

1. Remove the child or teen from play.
2. Keep the child or teen out of play the day of the injury. The athlete should be seen by a health care provider and only return to play with permission from a health care provider who is experienced in evaluating for concussion.
3. The child or teen must have written instructions from a health care provider on helping the athlete return to play and school. The instructions must be emailed to the BBA Compliance Committee prior to athlete returning to play.

Do not try to judge the severity of the injury yourself. Only a health care provider should assess a child or teen for a possible concussion. Concussion signs and symptoms often show up soon after the injury. But you may not know how serious the concussion is at first, and some symptoms may not show up for hours or days. The brain needs time to heal after a concussion. A child’s or teen’s return to school and sports should be a gradual process that is carefully managed and monitored by a health care provider.

To learn more, go to www.cdc.gov/HEADSUP

Per Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 3707.52, as enacted by Ohio House Bill 143 of the 129th Ohio General Assembly, ODH is required to post free training programs that train coaches and referees in recognizing the signs and symptoms of concussions and head injuries.

The following three free, online trainings have been approved by ODH for coaches and referees:

1.  National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Concussion in Sports

This free, online course is available through the NFHS. Click the “order here” button and complete a brief registration form to take the course. Follow these steps to complete the course:

Click on the button that says, "Please login to order."  In the window that appears, click "Register Now."

1. When your registration is complete, "order" the free concussion course offered along the left hand side of the page.  Continue following prompts.  Although it may look like you will be charged for the course, there is no cost.
2. Once you have completed "checkout," you will be able to take the free online course.
3. When you have completed and passed the course, you have the option of printing a certificate of completion. Please email a PDF copy to the BBA Compliance Committee upon completion.  The certificates are good for 3 years and MUST NOT expire prior to August 1st within the year of the current season.