MVSC Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Protocol

In accordance with California State Law AB-2007 and AB-379, MVSC is informing parents and players of our Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Protocol:

1. Any player who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or other head injury, or who has passed out or fainted, will be removed from play immediately, and will not be allowed to return until they are evaluated and receive written clearance from a licensed health care provider.

2. If the licensed healthcare provider determines that the player sustained a concussion or other head injury, the player must complete a graduated return-to-play protocol of no less than seven days under the supervision of a licensed health care provider.

3. If the licensed healthcare provider suspects that the player has a cardiac condition that puts the player at risk for sudden cardiac arrest or other heart-related issues, the player must remain under the care of the licensed healthcare provider to pursue followup testing until the player is cleared to play.

4. If a player is removed from play due to a suspected concussion or due to fainting or another suspected cardiac condition, your coach is expected to notify you of the time and date of the injury, the symptoms observed and any treatment provided.

Concussion Initiatives & Heading for Youth Players 

US Club Soccer is clarifying the following implementation guidelines for U.S. Soccer's Recognize to Recover Player Safety Campaign, specifically as it relates to concussion initiatives and heading for youth players:

• The Federation is recommending, and US Club Soccer is requiring immediately, new rules as it relates to heading, as follows:

  • Players in U-11 programs and younger shall not engage in heading, either in practices or in games.

  • Limited heading in practice for players in U-12 and U-13 programs. More specifically, these players shall be limited to a maximum of 30 minutes of heading training per week, with no more than 15-20 headers per player, per week.

  • Clubs should be aware of circumstances in which individual consideration is needed. For example:

    • A 10 year old playing at U-12 or older should not head the ball at all.

    • An 11 or 12 year old playing at U-14 or older should abide by the heading restrictions in practice.

  • Referees should enforce these restrictions by age group according to the specified rules. Referees will not be assessing the age of individual players on the field; they will enforce the rules for the age group.

• Leagues and organizations are free to set their own standards, as long as the minimum requirements outlined above are met.

• In adherence to these new requirements, referees have been instructed by U.S. Soccer of the following rule addition: 
  When a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick (IFK) should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.

• Modified substitution rules also took effect Jan. 1, 2016, as follows:
  Any player suspected of suffering a head injury may be substituted for evaluation without the substitution counting against the teams total number of allowed substitutions during the game.

• US Club Soccer strongly recommends that all coaches, staff members, parents and players watch U.S. Soccer's concussions in soccer overview video.