Concussion Safety

Players

• I will learn the signs and symptoms of a concussion.
• I will tell a coach, trainer or my parent right away if I hit my head or body and feel unwell — even if I don't want to come off, and even if it happens in the middle of a game.
• I will tell someone if I think a teammate or an opponent might have a concussion. Saying nothing is not loyalty.
• I will not hide symptoms to keep playing, to avoid letting the team down, or because I want to be picked.
• I will not return to play until I have been cleared under the protocol below, no matter how good I feel.
• I will play by the rules, respect my opponents, and not use my stick or body to deliberately hit anyone in the head or neck, or to hit anyone who cannot protect themselves.
• I will wear the equipment we require, properly fitted and done up, every time.

Parents and guardians

• I have reviewed the Government of Ontario's Concussion Awareness Resources and this Code with my child.
• I will tell Greasy Ballers if my child has had a concussion — including one that happened at school, in another sport, or outside sport entirely.
• I will support the removal of my child from play if a concussion is suspected, and I will not pressure any coach, trainer or official to return them sooner.
• I will follow the Removal-from-Sport and Return-to-Sport protocol, including obtaining medical clearance where it is required.
• I will not encourage my child to play through symptoms, and I will not encourage or tolerate dangerous play by anyone.

Coaches, trainers and officials

• I will remove any player from play immediately if a concussion is suspected, and I will not be the one to decide whether they are fine.
• I will not allow a removed player back into training, practice or a game except in accordance with the protocol below.
• I will report every suspected concussion to Greasy Ballers and to the player's parent or guardian the same day.
• I will enforce the rules that protect the head and neck, and I will not reward or overlook dangerous play, whatever the score is.
• I will not question or override a decision made in the interest of a player's brain.

Immediate removal

If a player shows any sign of a concussion, or reports any symptom of one, they are removed from the floor immediately. This applies whether the suspicion comes from a coach, a trainer, an official, a parent or the player themselves.

The removal decision is not a diagnosis and does not need to be right. It only needs to be made. Anyone may raise the concern; only the protocol below returns the player to play.

Same day

The player does not return to that game or practice under any circumstances.

The player must not be left alone, and must be released to a parent or guardian, who is told what happened and advised to seek medical assessment.

The incident is reported to 1001170614 Ontario Ltd., operating as Greasy Ballers Lacrosse the same day at hello@greasyballers.com.

Medical assessment and clearance

Before returning, the player must be assessed by a physician or nurse practitioner, and Greasy Ballers must receive written medical clearance. Clearance from anyone else is not sufficient.

Graduated return

After clearance, the player returns in stages. Each stage takes at least 24 hours, and any return of symptoms means dropping back to the previous stage:

• Stage 1 — symptom-limited daily activity: school or work, light activity that does not bring symptoms on
• Stage 2 — light aerobic exercise: walking or stationary cycling, no resistance training
• Stage 3 — sport-specific exercise: skating or running drills, no contact and no risk of head impact
• Stage 4 — non-contact training drills: passing, shooting, harder training, may add resistance training
• Stage 5 — full-contact practice, after final medical clearance to return to contact
• Stage 6 — return to game play

Our role

Greasy Ballers keeps a record of each removal, the clearance received, and the date of return. A player who has not completed the protocol will not be permitted on the floor, regardless of the game, the standings, or who is asking.