CJSA has adopted the US Soccer and US Youth Soccer recommendations regarding heading and the protocol for suspected concussions. Compliance is mandatory for all CJSA members for all activities where CJSA insurance applies effective April 1, 2016 and strongly recommended to be applied immediately.

Heading Restrictions

 Players who are 10 and younger  No player who is 10 or younger may deliberately head the ball, regardless of the age group of the team they are playing on. This includes all activities where CJSA insurance applies, such as practices, scrimmages, and competitions at all levels.  No player on a U11 team or a combined team including the U11 Age Group, (e.g. U11/12), even if the player has turned 11, may head the ball deliberately. This restriction will be enforced in competitions for teams U11 and younger (including combined age brackets including U11 and younger) by award of an indirect free kick for the opposing team. Coaches and parents are responsible for applying this restriction for players who are 10 or younger and playing up. 

Each CJSA club is required to make available either a written or electronic statement regarding concussions to each youth athlete and the parent or legal guardian of each player participating in any youth athletic activity. The law requires that this written or electronic information be made available at the time of registration of each player and must be consistent with the most recent information provided by the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding concussions.

The policy contains a link to an online training facility Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports which is now Mandatory Training for all HYSA coaches.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our VP of safety, Dan Fiore at safety@harwintonsports.org or any of HYSA's sporting VPs.

Safety is Everyone's Concern

https://usys-assets.ae-admin.com/assets/969/15/HeadsUpConcussion.pdf

HEADS UP to Youth Sports: Online Training

By taking this free, online course and using what you learn, you will be well positioned to improve the culture of concussion. Your actions can help create a safe environment for young athletes so that they can stay healthy, active, and thrive - both on and off the playing field.

Once you complete the training and quiz, you can print out a certificate, making it easy to show your league or school you are ready for the season.

http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/Training/index.html