Anonymous wrote:Soccer
Basketball
Baseball/Softball

In that order for sports that don't wear helmets. This is for the PPs who keep asking.

Yes, if he plays one of these sports, he's likely to get another concussion. Soccer far outstrips the others, but that's partially because of the sheer number of kids playing it.

He's in 8th grade. Sit him out for the season.

--Mom of 2 hockey players.

The rates are higher for football, hockey and lacrosse, actually.

http://ajs.sagepub.com/content/40/4/747

DON'T LET HIM PLAY!!!

I teach middle school. I had one of the most genius, intelligent 7th graders I have ever taught come through my math classroom last year. He was brilliant. Got 2 concussions in the span of a couple months, and could barely tell me his name for the rest of the year. Would repeat stories, couldn't remember the punch line of jokes, it was heart breaking.

He's recovered significantly, but I don't think he'll ever be where he was

OP, are you aware of the research on the effects of concussions on high school players? I think most people are now aware of the danger to NFL players and probably college players, but the research showing cognitive impairment to high school players-- even without actual concussions but with just the normal, frequent low-level impacts-- is truly frightening.

Why can't you tell us what sport? Weird.

Soccer
Basketball
Baseball/Softball

In that order for sports that don't wear helmets. This is for the PPs who keep asking.

Yes, if he plays one of these sports, he's likely to get another concussion. Soccer far outstrips the others, but that's partially because of the sheer number of kids playing it.

He's in 8th grade. Sit him out for the season.

--Mom of 2 hockey players.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The sport DOES have a high concussion rate, and is not one where helmets are used. One other team-mate is out of school for the second week, not just benched, with concussion.
I'm not a sports fan, in fact I was startled when DC took up this sport. My older DC has a classmate with a knee replacement at 15, who still plays soccer...I don't know...

You are wavering. The thing is one more concussion and there will be no question, plus more damage will be done. And don't you think there WILL be another concussion? Why are you waiting for that, the likelihood that your DC will play all through high school (unless you really are reckless and let him continue after another concussion) is pretty low. So now is the time to switch him to a different sport.

And if the only reason is that you are afraid of disappointing him, thats not a reason.

OP here. The sport DOES have a high concussion rate, and is not one where helmets are used. One other team-mate is out of school for the second week, not just benched, with concussion.
I'm not a sports fan, in fact I was startled when DC took up this sport. My older DC has a classmate with a knee replacement at 15, who still plays soccer...I don't know...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ coach here: one of our kids got a concussion over the winter break while skiing. Yes of course he has been "benched" but what does that have to do with the sport?

The fact that you don't understand that lifetime risks of serious complications increases with the number of concussions a kid has is frightening.

It's a cumulative thing. If a sport has a high risk of concussions, and a kid has had multiple concussions from any source, then a parent should pull the kid from that sport. 2-3 should be a hard limit.

I completely understand. OP said she wanted to nix the sport but I was asking if this sport caused the concussion, i.e., is it a sport like football where a reoccurrence is likely or another sport where concussions are very rare.

You know there are doctors trained specifically in this field, right? Make an appointment.

Anonymous wrote:^^ coach here: one of our kids got a concussion over the winter break while skiing. Yes of course he has been "benched" but what does that have to do with the sport?

The fact that you don't understand that lifetime risks of serious complications increases with the number of concussions a kid has is frightening.

It's a cumulative thing. If a sport has a high risk of concussions, and a kid has had multiple concussions from any source, then a parent should pull the kid from that sport. 2-3 should be a hard limit.

Bench him from that sport. Before you tell him that he is benched, though, find alternatives for him to do. When you bench him, tell him what his alternatives are.

I don't know what would work for your son, but cross-country and triathlon are all very good options for a competitive kid that has to give up a sport that he is good at. They are year round. There are local clubs that train together. There are tons of events to go to. There is a wide level of achievment for different levels of atheletes.

you hae to look at two things, what is causing them, is it poor coaching or poor technique. Both are correctable.

you cna also change sports

^^ coach here: one of our kids got a concussion over the winter break while skiing. Yes of course he has been "benched" but what does that have to do with the sport?

Anonymous wrote:DC has been benched by concussion (second one this academic year) and I'm inclined to just nix this sport. Am I over-reacting? Child is fighting tooth and nail to stay on team...

was the concussion caused by the sport and what sport? Not enough info here to answer your question.

I have a very athletic child, definitely getting D1 interest.

We have dealt with many injuries along the way.

No. He can't play. Period. Don't waiver, he will see you waiver and beg and you will cave.

I have actually had to tell the coach that he won't sit on the sidelines because it is too much, he had to mature into being on the bench with an injury.

Broken bones are easy, you can see them, you can feel them but concussions, pulled muscles, hairline fracture are tricky. The kids feel fine but they aren't.

This is a learning moment, he needs to rest, this will not take away your edge to be a varsity player in the future. Only 25% of player play all 4 years in HS, most had an injury that makes them sit out a season.