As a coach, you can play an important role in helping participants avoid concussions:
Policy, rules, and respect
- Ensure there is a concussion policy and management plan in place that is clearly communicated to participants and parents or guardians.
- Respecting the rules of the sport reduces the risk of injury. Act as a role model by adhering to the rules even when it isn’t in your favour.
Sport environment
- Provide appropriate equipment.
- Always check the physical conditions of the training or competition area for potential risk.
- Be prepared with an emergency action plan.
Education
- Educate and remind participants about the signs and symptoms of concussions.
- Create a sport environment built on trust and open communication so participants feel comfortable informing you of any signs and symptoms.
Training strategies
- Incorporate neuromuscular training into warm-up exercises to reduce the risk of all types of injuries, including concussion.
- Ensure participants recovering from concussion are following a Return to Sport strategy.