Dr Stanley Herring - Zackery Lystedt

NFHS policy changes for 2010-11

Most would agree that any athlete who loses consciousness while involved in a sports-related activity has likely suffered a concussion and should be removed from play. What is not well known is that only 10% of those who suffer concussions lose consciousness- the tip of the iceberg. Some guidelines in the not-to-distant past have allowed the player to return to the same game if loss of consciousness (LOC) was brief, but not anymore. The days of an athlete “blacking out” on the sideline or field and resuming play after a few minutes came to a close beginning this fall, in the NFL as well as in high schools across the country.

New concussion rules from the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS), which provides guidance for high school interscholastic associations in all 50 states, demonstrate a heightened awareness of the subtle nature of concussion symptoms, and a move away from LOC as the determining factor in their diagnosis.

Effective this fall, high school athletes in any sport who are exhibiting signs of concussion such as headaches, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems should be removed from play and not allowed to return until cleared by an appropriate health-care provider. Washington State Vocational Sports Medicine Assoc. Athletic Trainer of the Year, Scott Peck, welcomes this change. “This will provide school districts around the country more guidance in developing concussion policies and sideline protocols while increasing awareness and education, potentially saving lives.” Similar to WA State’s Lystedt Law, these changes will improve player safety dramatically.

“Officials, coaches, and administrators are being asked to make all efforts at ensuring that concussed athletes do not continue to participate. Thus, coaches, players, and administrators should also be looking for signs of concussion in all athletes and should immediately remove any suspected concussed athlete from play,” said Dr. Michael Koester, chair of the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee. “Continuing participation in any sport following a concussion can lead to worsening symptoms, as well as increased risk for further injury to the brain and even death.”

These concussion management changes will be included in the NFHS 2010-11 rule books. Points of emphasis will also include illegal helmet contact.

Our Advisors Include:

Sponsors for Sports Concussion


Phone:	360-775-8197
Editor: Jean Rickerson:	jean@SportsConcussions.org
Main Email: Alaska office:	admin@SportsConcussions.org ann.w@SportsConcussions.org
Connecticut Office:	ann.f@SportsConcussions.org or vicki@sportsconcussions.org
Rhode Island office: Virginia office: Washington state office:	donna@sportsconcussions.org scott@sportsconcussions.org laxleber@gmail.com
Facebook: Twitter:	Sports Concussions.org SportsTBI
More:	Contact Information