Inglemoor Lacrosse Club Safety Information, Waivers, and Release of Liability
Last Updated 12/18/2023 (v.20231218)
The Inglemoor Lacrosse Club is herein referred to as the “Club”.
Sections
- Concussion Awareness
- Code of Conduct
- Waiver / Release of Liability
- Medical Consent
Any athlete even suspected of suffering a concussion will be removed from the game or practice immediately. No athlete may return to activity after an apparent head injury or concussion, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear, without medical clearance.
Close observation of the athlete should continue for several hours. The new “Zackery Lystedt Law” in Washington now requires the consistent and uniform implementation of long and well-established return to play concussion guidelines that have been recommended for several years:
“a youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall be removed from competition at that time”
and
“...may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed heath care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and received written clearance to return to play from that health care provider”. You should also inform your child’s coach if you think that your child may have a concussion. Remember it’s better to miss one game than miss the whole season. And when in doubt, the athlete sits out.
The Importance of Awareness
The following information is intended to help protect your child from concussion or other serious brain injury. Use this information at your child’s games and practices to learn how to spot a concussion and what to do if a concussion occurs.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. This fast movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging the brain cells.
How Can I Help Keep My Child Safe?
Sports are a great way for children and teens to stay healthy and can help them do well in school. To help lower your children’s or teens’ chances of getting a concussion or other serious brain injury, you should:
- Help create a culture of safety for the team.
- Work with their coach to teach ways to lower the chances of getting a concussion.
- Talk with your children or teens about concussion and ask if they have concerns about reporting a concussion. Talk with them about their concerns; emphasize the importance of reporting concussions and taking time to recover from one.
- Ensure that they follow their coach’s rules for safety and the rules of the sport.
- Tell your children or teens that you expect them to always practice good sportsmanship.
- When appropriate for the sport or activity, teach your children or teens that they must wear a helmet to lower the chances of the most serious types of brain or head injury. However, there is no “concussion-proof” helmet. So, even with a helmet, it is important for children and teens to avoid hits to the head.
How Can I Spot a Possible Concussion?
Children and teens who show or report one or more of the signs and symptoms listed below—or simply say they just “don’t feel right” after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body—may have a concussion or other serious brain injury.
Signs Observed by Parents or Coaches
- Appears dazed or stunned.
- Forgets an instruction, is confused about an assignment or position, or is unsure of the game, score, or opponent.
- Moves clumsily.
- Answers questions slowly.
- Loses consciousness (even briefly).
- Shows mood, behavior, or personality changes.
- Cannot recall events prior to or after a hit or fall.
Symptoms Reported by Children and Teens
- Headache or “pressure” in head.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Balance problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision.
- Bothered by light or noise.
- Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy.
- Confusion, or concentration or memory problems.
- Just not “feeling right,” or “feeling down.”
Have a Conversation with Your Player
Talk with your children and teens about concussion. Tell them to report their concussion symptoms to you and their coach right away. Some children and teens think concussions aren’t serious or worry that if they report a concussion, they will lose their position on the team or look weak. Be sure to remind them that it’s better to miss one game than the whole season.
Concussions affect each child differently. While most children and teens with a concussion feel better within a couple of weeks, some will have symptoms for months or longer. Talk with your children’s or teens’ health care provider if their concussion symptoms do not go away or if they get worse after they return to their regular activities.
What Are Some More Serious Danger Signs to Look Out For?
In rare cases, a dangerous collection of blood (hematoma) may form on the brain after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body and can squeeze the brain against the skull. Call 9-1-1 or take your child or teen to the emergency department right away if, after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, he or she has one or more of these danger signs:
- One pupil larger than the other.
- Drowsiness or inability to wake up.
- A headache that gets worse and does not go away.
- Slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination.
- Repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions, or seizures (shaking or twitching).
- Unusual behavior, increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation.
- Loss of consciousness (passed out/knocked out). Even a brief loss of consciousness should be taken seriously.
Safety Warning
Children and teens who continue to play while having concussion symptoms or who return to play too soon—while the brain is still healing— have a greater chance of getting another concussion. A repeat concussion that occurs while the brain is still healing from the injury can be very serious and can affect a child or teen for a lifetime. It can even be fatal.
What Should I Do If My Child or Teen Has a Possible Concussion?
As a parent, if you think your child or teen may have a concussion, you should:
- Remove your child or teen from play.
- Keep your child or teen out of play the day of the injury. Your child or teen should be seen by a health care provider and only return to play with permission from a health care provider who is experienced in evaluating for concussion.
- Ask your child’s or teen’s health care provider for written instructions on helping your child or teen return to school. You can give the instructions to your child’s or teen’s school nurse and teacher(s) and return-to-play instructions to the coach and/or athletic trainer.
Do not try to judge the severity of the injury yourself. Only a health care provider should assess a child or teen for a possible concussion. Concussion signs and symptoms often show up soon after the injury. But you may not know how serious the concussion is at rest, and some symptoms may not show up for hours or days. The brain needs time to heal after a concussion. A child’s or teen’s return to school and sports should be a gradual process that is carefully managed and monitored by a health care provider.
Learn More
http://www.cdc.gov/HEADSUP
Parent/Athlete Information Sheet
Fact Sheet for Athletes
Discuss the risks of concussion and other serious brain injury with your child or teen.
Code of Conduct
Players, coaches, officials, parents, and spectators are to conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates respect to other players, coaches, officials, parents, spectators, and fans.
Game play can be very competitive and emotional. All players AND SPECTATORS are required to demonstrate good sportsmanship and respect. To that end, coaches, players, AND spectators are required to:
1. Respect the referees (do not berate referees)
2. Treat the opposing team with respect
3. Stay off the field of play (coaches and spectators)
Failure to follow these simple rules can result in ejection from Club activities and no refunds will be issued.
Player Code of Conduct
1. “HONOR THE GAME” of lacrosse by displaying good sportsmanship on and off the field. Lacrosse is a team sport: I am on a team and I will be a team player.
2. Scholastics shall take precedence over lacrosse.
3. I will adhere to ILC’s zero tolerance for drug, alcohol, and tobacco use. If you choose to use, there will be consequences commensurate with the individual circumstances that may include suspension or removal from the team.
4. I will always follow the basic rules of Fair Play. I will respect the rules of the game, my opponents and the officials and their decisions. I personally will always maintain self-control.
5. Players are required to be on time for practices and games. “On time” means fully dressed and equipped to play for whatever time is set by your coach for that practice or game. If you require more time to dress, come earlier.
6. Players shall be at every game and every practice except for illness, injury, or school events. If a player must miss a practice or game, they must notify their coach in advance
7. Foul language toward anyone, be it teammates; coaches; officials; opponents, or spectators, will not be tolerated.
8. Players shall not be critical of teammates and never discuss teammate's abilities except to encourage good team play.
9. Players shall maintain appropriate conduct whether they are winning or losing, getting scored upon, or having just scored a goal. Excessive celebrations in these situations are considered unsportsmanlike.
10. Players are responsible for their own equipment, and thus, they must ensure that it is complete, safe, and in good condition always.
11. Players shall always conduct themselves in a dignified manner. Each player represents the game of lacrosse, the Club, and their team.
Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct:
1. I will encourage my child to “Honor the Game” of Lacrosse.
2. I will support the coaches, officials, and club officers working with my child, to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all.
3. I will praise my child for trying hard and competing fairly.
4. I will never ridicule or yell at my child, other players, coaches, or officials.
5. I will respect all officials and their decisions. I understand that all officials do their utmost to be impartial, provide a safe and suitable playing framework, and see that the game is well played.
6. I will not use profanity, nor will I harass players, coaches, officials, or other spectators.
7. I will remember that my child plays lacrosse for their enjoyment, not mine.
Amateur Athletic Waiver and Release of Liability
In consideration of being allowed to participate in Club activities, the undersigned acknowledges, appreciates, and agrees that:
1. The risk of injury from the activities involved in this program is significant, including the potential for permanent paralysis and death, and while rules, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious injury does exist; and,
2. I, on behalf of my child and my family, KNOWLINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, both known and unknown, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASERS or others, and assume full responsibility for my participation, and,
3. We willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions for participation. If, however, I observe any unusual significant hazard during my presence or participation, I will remove myself from participation and bring such to the attention of the nearest official immediately, and,
4. I, for my child and on behalf of our family, assign, personal representatives, and next of kin, HEREBY RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS the Club, their officers, officials, agents and/or employees, other participants, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, and, if applicable, owners and lessors of premises used to conduct the event (“Releases”), WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, or loss or damage to person or property, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASES OR OTHERWISE.
Medical Consent
As the parents or legal guardian, I am aware that practicing or playing lacrosse can be a dangerous activity involving risk of injury. I am aware of the Zach Lystedt Law pertaining to concussions and have signed the form relating to this Law. Because of these dangers, I recognize the importance of following coaches’ instructions regarding playing techniques, training, and other team rules. I give my permission for my child to practice and play lacrosse.
In the event of a possible injury, I authorize the coaching staff to render any necessary emergency aid. I also authorize the coaching staff to arrange for professional emergency care such as EMS, emergency room transportation, including consultation and treatment by a specialist. The Club will notify the parent/guardian(s) and designated emergency contact using the contact information submitted during registration.
