Lacrosse season is in full bloom throughout most of the country as new and experienced players of all ages return to the field. And while the focus is on passing, catching, shooting, and scoring, unfortunately injuries are also part of the game.

Since concussions are among the five most frequent injuries for both boys and girls lacrosse players, US Lacrosse strongly recommends that all teams, leagues, and clubs have a documented plan in place to deal with these injuries. Once developed, this plan should be reviewed and updated annually. 

• Concussion Management Plan Guidelines from US Lacrosse

Critical elements to incorporate in the plan include education guidelines, identified signs and symptoms for removing an athlete from play, and a return to school and return to play protocol.  

As a coach or parent, do you know the signs that indicate that a player has been concussed? What are the symptoms to look for?

To learn more about concussions, download this infographic, which identifies the top 10 signs and symptoms of a concussion, as well as guidelines for return to play and return to school.

“Making sure your team or league has a concussion management plan is a big part of responding to head injury to help athletes recover and return to life,” said Dr. Bruce Griffin, director of the Center for Sport Science at US Lacrosse.