
USA
Today:
Don't
Forget
About
the
Schoolwork
Dec.
28-
Many
of
the
recent
conversations
surrounding
concussions
focus
on
athletes'
injuries
and
the
all-important
return-to-play
decision.
But
youth
athletes
are
student-athletes
and
many
believe
it
is
time
for
additional
attention
to
be
paid
to
the
struggles
young
people
have
in
the
classroom
after
an
injury.
As
more
is
learned
about
the
value
of
cognitive
as
well
as
physical
rest
as
the
best
road
to
recovery,
concerns
about
balancing
the
need
to
keep
up
in
school
while
not
taxing
an
injured
brain
are
on
the
rise.
USA
Today
highlights
the
difficult
issues
facing
concussed
athletes
who
attempt
to
keep
up
the
pace
academically
in
"Concussions
no
fun,
take
toll
on
school
for
injured
athletes".
Dec.
28- Changing
tackling
techniques
at
the
youth
level
is
former
NFL
defensive
back
Bobby
Hosea's
goal,
one
that
is
shared
by
USA
Football,
the
governing
league
for
Pop
Warner
and
other
leagues
for
players
aged
6-14.
USA
Football's
recently
appointed
tackling
coach,
Hosea's
system
utilizes
"Dip-'n'-Rip"
sticks
that
emphasize
proper
form
for
dropping
an
opponent
using
the
hips
and
shoulders
while
minimizing,
or
eliminating,
head
contact.
His
camps
teach
youth
athletes
to
tackle
with
their
heads
up,
as
opposed
to
other
methods
that
can
result
in
an
increased
likelihood
of
concussion,
or
worse.
The
NYT's
Alan
Schwarz
profiles
Hosea
and
his
unconventional
style
in
"Teaching
a
Safer
Way
to
Tackle".
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Mayo Clinic Ice Hockey Concussion
Summit recommendations |
Protect Youth Athletes:
What To Do If Your
Child is Hurt |
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The
recent concussion conference held at the Mayo Clinic in
Minnesota included a panel of international experts,
including two of SportsConcussions.org's own.
Recommendations were:
-
no head-checks allowed at any
level
-
body-checks allowed only after
age 13
-
more concussion education for
coaches, parents, & athletes
full
story
video
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Remove them from practice or play
immediately
- Seek medical attention
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Make sure your child does not return to
play until they have received the OK from a
medical professional and are 100%
symptom-free, at rest and during exertion
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There are an estimated 3.8 million
sports and recreation-related
concussions annually
-Centers for
Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
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Zackery Lystedt Law | Zackery Lystedt's story |
Named after Zackery Lystedt,
(see
feature story ) a middle
school football player who suffered a catastrophic head injury
during a game, this law requires athletes to be removed from
play or practice if a concussion is suspected, and more. Here
are some important resources for states or school districts
considering similar legislation or policies:

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Zackery Lystedt, a WA State middle school
football player inspired the Lystedt Law, as reported by CBS
News as reported by CBS
News
watch video..

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