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LAX Safety

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REPORT TO WGL ON CONCUSSIONS

Soccer and lacrosse are the top two girl’s sports that concussions occur in. Even though both are technically noncontact sports, collisions between players and with equipment, i.e. balls and sticks, do occur. Falls are another common cause. 

Concussions are minor closed head injuries. While there is no bleeding or swelling of the brain, chemical changes alter brain functioning. They may cause long lasting complications if not properly treated. Treatment focuses on rest, psychological and physical. Most concussions resolve within 2 weeks. If another, even mild, head injury occurs before the brain has fully healed, dramatic brain swelling can occur. This can lead to permanent brain damage or death.

It is impossible to eliminate head injuries in sports. Currently, there has been much discussion regarding wearing helmets in girl’s lacrosse. US Lacrosse’s position on this issue is that wearing helmets will raise the level of physical contact and increase the risk of head injury.

Proper identification of head injury and subsequent action taken to seek treatment and avoid reinjury is very important in reducing long term complications.

MIAA/high school sports are taking head injuries very seriously. Adequate training of youth coaches and referees is just as important. Properly trained athletic directors, trainers, and medical personnel are not usually present at youth sports games and practices. Therefore, coaches and assistants need to be knowledgeable about identifying head injuries and taking appropriate action. “When in doubt, sit out”.

There is a website, www.nfhslearn.com, supported by MIAA and the CDC that provides a free on-line program about concussions. It takes about 20 minutes to complete. It is thorough and concise, but easy to follow.

Our coaches complete this program in order to be able to prevent serious head injuries. US Lacrosse stresses safety as a primary goal of play.

 

HEADGEAR IN GIRLS LACROSSE

There has been a big 'buzz' in the community of girls lacrosse concerning the recent review and decision by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Safety & Research Committee (NYPHSAA) that the motion to recommend instituting boys helmets for girls' lacrosse players starting in 2012 has been voted down by a 7-2 vote. Their decision was to not support the implemenation of requiring girls to wear boys lacrosse helmets during play. [It's Important to note that at this time of review - consideration was specifically in reference to high school girls lacrosse.]

Several of the New York US Lax chapters are pushing for helmets (at this time, for the high-school level players). US Lacrosse was able to deflect them for this year, but has put the responsiblity onto the officials to keep the game safe (and not turn it into the 'boys' game).
Many feel that by requiring helmets to be worn by the girls, it gives an un-realistic sense of safety and security (which might actually allow the girls to play not only more aggressively, but potentially put them in situations where they would play much more dangeriously). Therefore, if the helmets were worn, the players would be less cautious, therefore, less safe.
 
This being said, many games referees may begin calling the games tighter than previously officiated.
 
As noted by Lynne Geiger, Western Mass. Referee and Officials Training Facilitator, "The 2 major points of emphasis at the US lax convention in 2011 were:
  1. Immediately whistling any stick that enters the sphere offensively or defensively (vs just signaling advantage), and,
  2. Minimizing cross checking/stick to body contact with vertical sticks being leveled into the body of the offensive player."
Although this ruling currently effects only girls high school players, it is important to note that as part of US Lacrosse, we follow the standards and recommendations to the standards their organization exemplifies. This may prove that one day, even girls youth leagues, as ours, may be impacted.

THE FOLLOWING ARE ARTICLES WRITTEN ON THE TOPIC OF GIRLS HEADGEAR
 

Steve Stenersen, President/CEO of US Lacrosse, shares his opinion in a blog online:

"The Future of Headgear in Girls' Lacrosse, By Steve Stenersen, 12/2/2010"

When a serious injury occurs in a particular sport, the nature of that sport is sometimes questioned or blamed, and that’s been the case lately in girls’ lacrosse.

There has been increased discussion about the relative safety in girls’ lacrosse these days, particularly with respect to head and face injury. ESPN aired a piece in August that focused on two girls’ high school players in Pittsburgh who had suffered concussions while playing…and Section 8 of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association introduced a proposal to require all players to wear men’s lacrosse helmets beginning in 2012. The measure was rejected by a 7-2 vote of the association’s safety committee on December 2, which followed a US Lacrosse presentation that focused on the rules and culture of girls’ lacrosse…and our proactive efforts to address player safety ongoing. . .

Read the full article HERE

 Lacrosse Magazine’s Brian Louge discussed the issue prior to the ruling in an article online:

Heads Up:  Ny Considers Mens’ Helmets for Womens’ Lacrosse”, November 2010

“An upcoming vote by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) to require men's lacrosse helmets to be worn in women's lacrosse as soon as 2012 has advocates of the sport concerned.

"I think the idea of making girls wear helmets that were specifically designed for a different game is irresponsible," said Ann Carpenetti, managing director for game administration for US Lacrosse.

Read the full article HERE

 The NY Times ran an article on the topic as well:

"A Case Against Helmets in Lacrosse" - NY Times, Feb. 2011

Camille Richardson has heard all the arguments, read all the comments, and sees the logic. But as a freshman midfielder for the Columbia women’s lacrosse team who is fully aware of the dangers of head trauma, Richardson makes one thing clear: She has no interest in wearing a helmet, as the men must.

“Wearing a helmet,” Richardson said, “would just bring us closer to football and hockey.”

 

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