Dover Sherborn Soccer Club’s concussion policy reflects the seriousness of head injuries and our unwavering commitment to the safety of our young athletes.  It is our expectation that this policy will provide unambiguous clarity on the course of action required when a DSSC player sustains a head injury.

The DSSC head trauma policy is as follows:

  • All coaches are required to take the Center for Disease Control (CDC) online training course. DS Soccer parents are also encouraged to review this course. Click here to visit CDC On-Line Concussion Awareness Training Main Site.  Course completion is required for both head and assistant coaches.
  • All Coaches are required to remove players from a practice or game if a player sustains a blow to the head or a jarring collision that causes the coach to suspect a possible mild or traumatic brain injury.
  • DSSC coaches are required to notify the parents/legal guardians of the incident, as well as the DSSC Boys or Girls Coordinator, providing both with a date and description of the incident that occurred.
  • Any Dover Sherborn player removed from practice or game as a result of a head injury or symptoms similar to those of a concussion shall not be permitted to return to any level of practice or game play to any extent until they have provided Dover Sherborn Soccer with a written and unconditional “Medical Clearance to Return to Play” from a licensed medical doctor.  Medical clearance must be provided to the DSSC Registrar (See the Club Contacts page for registrar information).
  • When a Parent/legal guardian registers their player they will be required to agree to the following: “If my child is diagnosed with a concussion during a DSSC activity or during an activity outside of a DSSC event, I will inform my child’s Coach of such diagnosis immediately, and provide medical clearance documentation from a medical professional prior to their being permitted to return to DSSC play (effective with Spring 2015 Registration)
  • DSSC recommends all players participate in cognitive baseline ImPACT Testing, offered jointly by all DSSC (in partnership with DS Lacrosse and DS Basketball) for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. When a player enters 9th grade, ImPACT testing is provided by the Dover Sherborn High School.   
  • For parents, there is a great resource from the CDC on this website Heads Up for Parents. 
  • Also, please see this excellent video on concussion education https://youtu.be/UMgU4ZtXfDE
CDC