Minnesota Govenor Dayton signed a new bill into law on June 8, 2011 that now requires all coaches to sideline athletes who show signs of a concussion. 
Those athletes cannot return to the field until they get clearance by a state licensed MEDICAL health care provider.  Minnesota now joins 20 states with similar laws taking effect. 

 -  The law takes effect September 1, 2011. 

-   This applies to all players under the age of 18 and applies to ALL youth sports organizations both PUBLIC and PRIVATE. 

-   The law also requires that parents have access to risks and symptoms of concussions and coaches must have training on concussions once every three (3) years. 

The LMAA has adopted a concussion protocol for all Areas involved in the LMAA organization. 

Below is a copy of the Concussion Protocol

More information can also be found on the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) website. 

http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/youth.html

Here is a quick review of concussion symptoms.  A more comprehensive list can be found on the documents listed at the bottom of this page. 

~  Confusion, foggy/groggy feeling, sluggish

~  Dizzy, poor balance

~  Sensitivity to noise or light, blurry vision

~  Headache, feeling of pressure

~  Poor memory: (i.e. can't remember what they ate earlier that day, the score of the game, what happened, etc). 

~  Poor coordination and concentration

~  Nausea/vomiting

Everyone is different and symptoms can be very subtle.  Being knocked UNCONCIOUS is not a requirement. 

SIGNS OF A MEDICAL EMERGENCY

~  Headaches that worsen

~  Repeated vomiting

~ Severe neck pain

~  Loss of consciousness or unable to be awakened easily

~  Weakness/Numbness in arms or legs

~  Unable to recognize familar faces/things