1. ALWAYS remove athletes immediately after suspecting a concussion. Do NOT allow return to play the same day with a concussion.

2. Athletes do NOT have to be knocked out to have a concussion. 90% of concussions occur without a loss of consciousness.

3. CT scans don’t diagnose concussions. Everyone with a concussion has a normal CT scan.

4. It is OK to let someone fall asleep after being hit in the head. With careful monitoring, rest and sleep will be helpful.

5. “Warm Up for Return” is a graded process that requires a minimum of five days.

6. 9 out of 10 athletes will be back to normal within two weeks. They may miss a few games.

7. Kansas law requires a physician’s signature (MD/DO) to "Return to Play."

8. Athletes who return to full contact too early risk Second Impact Syndrome, a rare but devastating brain injury that may result in death.

9. Concussions can affect driving, school work, sleep, emotions, relationships and self worth.

10. The "game plan" is not just about returning an athlete to their sport, it is about returning the person back to their life.

KansasSportsConcussionPartnership

» Concussion? Start Here » Recognition » Management » Return to Learn » Warm-up to Play

Warm-up to Play

Once a student athlete is completely symptom free from his/her injury, it is time to think about returning to play. This is a step-by-step process lasting at least five days and supervised by the coach and/or athletic trainer.

The athlete must be seen by a physician (MD/DO) during this warm up to return to play progression to be legally released for return to competition or practice.

Use the SCORE Card “3” to guide and document the Warm Up for Return to Play progression and to secure a physician’s release for competition or practice.

Game plan for the education, recognition, and management of sports related head injuries.

Warm-up to Play

SCORE Cards