In order to protect young athletes, the State of Ohio has passed a law regarding concussions in youth sports, commonly called the “Return to Play” law. This law, similar to laws enacted in most other states, imposes training, safety, and awareness requirements on youth sports organizations, like Hamilton Township Youth Athletics (HTYA), and its leagues, associations, tournaments, coaches, referees, officials, and athletes and their families. 

A concussion is a brain injury and all brain injuries are serious. A concussion may be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or by a blow to another part of the body with the force transmitted to the head. A concussion can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works. Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and may result in complications, including prolonged brain damage and death, if not recognized and managed properly.

Because of the significant health concerns posed by the risk of concussions and because of the Return to Play laws enacted by the State of Ohio, HTYA has developed a Concussion Policy that is applicable to all players, coaches, parents/guardians, referees, and league officials. 

All of HTYA's program directors are responsible to monitor and track their coaches’ compliance with the concussion training requirements of the Return to Play law. Each coach must receive concussion training prior to receiving their roster for the season and that training must be renewed every three years. (See O.R.C. 3707.511 (C)(1).) Coaches must provide a copy of their certification to their program director as evidence of compliance with the training requirement.

 

All referees for HTYA events and HTYA-sponsored events must also be able to demonstrate that they have complied with the training requirements of the Return to Play law. Each referee must receive concussion training prior to the start of the season, and that training must be renewed every three years. (See O.R.C. 3707.511 (C)(1).) Referees must be able to produce evidence of compliance with the training requirement.

 

Coaches and Referees may choose training from either the Center for Disease Control (CDC) or the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). Both programs are free of charge. The NFHS requires a user to login but allows leagues to track coaches progress and allows coaches to log in and print their certification should they require a new certificate.

 

Step by Step Guide for Completing CDC Concussion Training          Step by Step Guide for Completing NFHS Concussion Training          http://www.osysa.com/assets/956/15/OSYSA_Concussion_NFHS_Video.pdf

All HYA coaches are responsible to provide a Youth Sports Concussion Information Sheet, supplied by the Ohio Department of Health, to the parent or other guardian of each athlete who wishes to practice for or compete in the league. (See O.R.C. 3707.511 (B)). This information must be provided each season. Program Directors must be able to produce evidence of compliance with this obligation.

If a coach, referee, or official is knowingly not compliant with the Return to Play law, including training requirements and removal from play requirements, he or she could face civil liability (see O.R.C. 3707.511 (F)(1)) should a child become injured due to his failure to follow the law. Additionally, coaches, referees and officials who fail to follow the law may be rendered ineligible to participate in HYA events and HYA-sponsored events.

 

More Information

 

More information about the Return to Play law, training materials, information about the identification, treatment, and prevention of concussions, and the Youth Sports Information Sheet can be found at the Ohio Department of Health website (http://www.healthyohioprogram.org/concussion).

Ohio’s Return to Play law features three key rules that its leagues, coaches, referees, officials, and athletes and their families must abide by: