Policies & Procedures

Liberty High Schools Athletic Training Policies and Procedures are reviewed yearly.

The following document is the Athletic Training Program's policies and procedures. These policies have beestagen reviewed and signed off by the Administration of Liberty High School.

Return to Play Protocol

Doctor Visits:

If any student-athlete has a visit with the doctor for any medical condition, regardless if the Parent, Coach or Athletic Trainer initiated it, that student-athlete must provide clearance from the doctor. This clearance will clear the student-athlete back to the care of the Athletic Trainer who will provide return-to-play clearance to their sport.

In many cases, if the athlete has been out of play because of an injury for several days, that student-athlete must go through the return-to-play protocol set by the school's athletic trainer. The athlete must be able to perform the functional duties of their sport and be mentally sound in performing their sport. In most cases, the athlete will need to complete one full practice before they are allowed to re-enter games or matches.

Concussions:

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.

A youth athlete who has been removed from play may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and receives written clearance to return to play from that health care provider.

Licensed Health Care Providers acknowledged by the MPSSAA that can clear for concussion:

• Medical Doctors (MD)

• Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)

• Nurse Practitioner (CRNP)

• Physicians Assistant (PA)

Regardless of the severity of the injury an athlete that displays the signs and symptoms of a concussion – Return to Play Criteria must and will be followed strictly:

- Once the Athletic Trainer has deemed the student-athlete has a concussion, the parents/guardians will be notified by the Athletic Trainer and the student-athlete will bring home an informational packet for the parents regarding concussions and concussion care.

- All athletes will need to be cleared by a health care provider once all symptoms have resided. The health care provider will then provide a return to place clearance letter releasing them back to the Athletic Trainers care.

Even with a clearance letter, the athlete still must be able to pass the functional test & mental test from Athletic Trainer.

If that student-athlete fails the functional and/or mental test with any signs or symptoms, the Athletic Trainer will have the right to hold the player out while he talks with the team physician and/or parents and follows up on additional test.

The following is CCPS Return-to-Play Guidelines for concussed Student-Athletes:

- The athlete must be symptom-free for 24 hours without pain medication in order to move past Day 1 on the following return to play protocol.

- The athlete must remain symptom-free in order to move on to the next stage, and may only move one stage per 24 hours.

o Stage 1: walking/light aerobic activity 15-20 supervised by Athletic Trainer

o Stage 2: Moderate aerobic activity – supervised by Athletic Trainer

o Stage 3: Begin sport specific exercises/drill/exertional exercise – High aerobic activity (non-contact) supervised by Athletic Trainer

o Stage 4: Non-contact training drills/practice with the team supervised by Athletic Trainer

o Stage 5: Full contact practice supervised by Athletic Trainer

o Stage 6: Competition – Full Return to Play

- If the athlete displays symptoms at any time during the six-stage gradual return to play, they will return to the previous step or more if deemed necessary.