WHEN IN DOUBT – SIT THEM OUT!
Parents, Coaches, or medical staff have the right to pull a skater from any practice or game if a concussion is suspected.
For concussion recovery resources visit https://www.nationwidechildrens.org
Below is the JRDA Concussion Policy that all participants must be made aware of and follow.
Junior Roller Derby Association
Concussion Policy
Last Updated June 2022
1. Purpose & Goal
1.1. The JRDA exists to provide a safe environment for junior roller derby players, coaches, officials, volunteers, and parents to learn and grow. To facilitate that environment, this policy outlines the expectations of and requirements for these participants in the event of head injury and / or suspected concussion.
2. Definitions
2.1. Contact with potential for causing concussion – a forceful bump, blow, or jolt to the head or forceful contact to the body that results in rapid movement of the head.
2.2. On-site medical staff – personnel qualified and authorized to provide on-site medical support at a roller derby event. For Sanctioned events, see the JRDA Sanctioning Policy for a list of acceptable certifications for emergency medical personnel.
2.3. Licensed healthcare provider – personnel licensed in the practice state to diagnose and treat medical
problems. This varies by state and may include Physicians (MDs & DOs), Chiropractors (DCs), Physician
Assistants (PAs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs, APRNs), and Athletic Trainers (ATs).
3. Where This Policy Applies
3.1. All JRDA hosted / sponsored events, including but not limited to: tournaments, games, clinics, conventions, tryouts, etc.
3.2. All JRDA Member League hosted / sponsored events, including but not limited to: games and tournaments involving one or more JRDA Member League(s) – whether sanctioned, regulation, or non-regulation; as well as, practices, scrimmages, tryouts, clinics, conventions, and any other roller derby-related events where JRDA member players are present.
3.3. All public appearances by JRDA Member Leagues / players, including but not limited to: charity events,
parades, festivals, and all other public events where any attendees represent a JRDA Member League.
4. Education & Training
4.1. All coaches, officials, and listed league volunteers must complete the CDC Heads Up to Youth Sports or NFHS concussion training biennially. Upon completion of the training and receipt of certification, all coaches, officials, and volunteers must submit their certificate to the JRDA in one of the following ways: (1) by attaching it to their JRDA Volunteer Registration form if they are not already registered or (2) for those that are already registered as a volunteer with the JRDA – by emailing a copy of the certificate to the JRDA HR Department at hr@juniorrollerderby.org.
4.2. All JRDA Member League administrators and / or coaches must annually inform their league’s players and their parents of this policy and of the CDC concussion resources available on the JRDA website, located at https://www.juniorrollerderby.org/jrda-policies under the Concussion Policy and Resources tab.
5. Potential & Suspected Concussion
5.1. Evaluation – Any player who is either displaying signs / reporting symptoms of concussion or has sustained forceful contact with the potential for causing a concussion or other head injury must halt participation immediately and submit to evaluation by the on-site medical staff. The player, their coach, their parent / guardian, any official, or member of the on-site medical staff may initiate this process. Failure to submit to evaluation warrants removal from participation.
5.2. Clearance Upon Evaluation – The on-site medical staff may clear a player to return to participation after
evaluation upon the determination that the player is not experiencing any symptoms or exhibiting any signs of concussion. The on-site medical staff may require that the player be re-evaluated and / or further pause
participation for continued observation.
5.3. Removal from Participation – Any player subject to evaluation for potential concussion that is not cleared by the on-site medical staff (including in instances where no on-site medical staff is available to perform an evaluation) is considered to be suspected of concussion and must be removed from participation. See the JRDA Concussion Reporting Protocol for a list of who may remove a player from play / participation.
5.4. Return to Participation – Any player removed from participation as the result of a suspected concussion may not return to participation until (1) the statutory minimum time following a suspected concussion has elapsed (in most states this is twenty-four hours; see Section 6) and (2) the player has been evaluated by and received express written medical clearance from a licensed healthcare provider. Such clearance must be provided to the administrators for the player’s league. Players suspected of concussion must adhere to any return-to-play conditions set by the treating licensed healthcare provider.
6. Legal Implications & Resources
6.1. Each JRDA Member League is responsible for knowing and abiding by concussion laws applicable in their home state and the states they participate in. The JRDA’s Concussion Laws By State document (located at https://www.juniorrollerderby.org/jrda-policies under the Concussion Policy and Resources tab) is an available resource to assist leagues in identifying applicable concussion legislation; however, Member Leagues are ultimately responsible for ensuring their compliance with current applicable concussion laws.