Viking's Youth Athletics, ltd. (VYA) coaches have agreed to follow the protocol and procedure implemented by USA Football before allowing a player to return from suspicion of a head injury or concussion.

As a participating parent in the USA Football Heads Up player safety program, I agree that if my player/child is removed from practice or a game due to suspicion of head injury of concussion, I will follow the process below while working with VYA Coaches, before I will allow my child to return to full participation with the team.  VYA WILL NOT ALLOW ANY PLAYER TO RETURN TO PLAY UNLESS EVERY STEP OF THE PROCEDURE AS LISTED BELOW HAS BEEN FOLLOWED WITHOUT EXCEPTION.  (The EARLIEST a player may return to full contact while following the process is one week after being removed from play.)

Below are five gradual steps that you and the health care professional should follow to help safely return an athlete to play.   Remember, this is a gradual process.  These steps should not be completed in one day, but instead over days, weeks, or months.  THE RETRUN PROCESS WILL NOT BEGIN UNTIL THE PLAYER HAS BEEN CLEARED TO RETURN TO PLAY BY A QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL.  

Step 1:  Begin with light aerobic exercise only to increase an athlete's heart rate.  This means about 5 to 10 minutes on an exercise bike, walking, or light jogging.   No weight lifting at this point

IF COMPLETED WITHOUT SYMPTOMS PROCEED TO STEP 2

Step 2:  Continue with activities to increase an athlete's heart rate with body or head movement.  This includes moderate jogging, brief running, moderate-intensity stationary biking, moderate-intensity weight lifting (reduced time and/or reduced weight from the athlete's typical routine).

IF COMPLETED WITHOUT SYMPTOMS PROCEED TO STEP 3

Step 3:  Add heavy non-contact physical activity, such as sprinting/running, high intensity stationary biking, and regular weight lifting routine, non-contact sport-specific drills.

IF COMPLETED WITHOUT SYMPTOMS PROCEED TO STEP 4

Step 4:  Athlete may return to practice and full contact in controlled practice.

IF COMPLETED WITHOUT SYMPTOMS PROCEED TO STEP 5

Step 5:  Athlete may return to football competition.

*IF AT ANY POINT DURING THE RETURN PROCESS THE ATHLETE EXPERIENCES SYMPTOMS OF CONCUSSION, THE PROCESS MUST BE RESTARTED FROM STEP 1.



                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
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