Do you worry about your child’s safety when it comes to playing sports? Are you concerned with all the reports about head injuries and concussions?

A hit to the head during a soccer game or a hard fall on the basketball court may result in a head injury and even a concussion. These injuries are typically caused by a blow to the head, most often occurring while playing sports such as football, hockey or soccer. Surprisingly, 33% of all sports-related concussions occur during routine practice.

For some kids, concussions only last a short time. Other children can have symptoms of a concussion that last for several days or weeks. Did you know that 90% of most diagnosed concussions do not involve a loss of consciousness? Not all symptoms will be obvious, and in some cases may take several hours to set in. If you see any of the following symptoms in your child from a head injury, see a doctor or go to an emergency room:

• Loss of consciousness
• Severe headache, including a headache that gets worse
• Blurred vision, dizziness or loss of balance
• Memory loss, confusion or poor concentration
• Fatigue
• Trouble walking
• Slurred speech
• Irritability or changes in mood
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Unresponsiveness (you can't wake your child)

Rest assured that the YMCA of Greater Brandywine has an unwavering commitment to child safety, which means that every one of our volunteer coaches has completed extensive training on prevention of injury, risk, overuse and burnout. A warm-up is incorporated into every practice. And finally, background checks and child abuse clearances are completed for all Y coaches.

YMCA Association Sports Director, Patrick Dugan, says “When it comes to sport-injury prevention, one of our primary concerns is player-on-player contact, which could lead to concussions. Both locally and nationally, the prevention and recognition of potential brain injuries has been a primary focus for our Y sports leagues. We train our staff and coaches on how to recognize the signs of concussions and what to do if they are suspected.”

The YMCA of Greater Brandywine has partnered with Nemours Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children to solidify our commitment to the safety and welfare of all children in our programs. 

Click here for more information on Sports Safety and Injury Prevention from our youth sports leagues partner, Nemours Alfred I. Dupont Hospital for Children.