Winslow Youth Football & Cheering

Return to Play Progression

Winslow Youth Football and Cheering Board of Directors and Coaches take the safety of our athletes as our number one priority. The purpose of the Return to Play Progression is not to punish but to ensure the safety of our athletes as well as follow USA Football guidelines. If a concussion is diagnosed by a medical professional the following protocol will be followed with no exceptions. The Return to Play Progression will start once a letter from a medical professional stating that he athlete is cleared to participate.

PJ Lessard

President of the Board of Directors

Winslow Youth Football and Cheering

There are five gradual steps to help safely return an athlete to play:

Baseline: No Symptoms

As the baseline step of the Return to Play Progression, the athlete needs to have completed physical and cognitive rest and not be experiencing concussion symptoms for a minimum of 24 hours. Keep in mind, the younger the athlete, the more conservative the treatment.

Once a note stating that the athlete is cleared by a medical professional to return the Return to Play Progression begins. Each step is 1 practice. To complete the progression an athlete will be out a minimum of one game. If symptoms return at any time during the progression a medical professional will need to be seen again.

Step 1: Light aerobic activity

The Goal: Only to increase an athlete’s heart rate.

The Time: 5 to 10 minutes.

The Activities: Exercise bike, walking, or light jogging.

Absolutely no weight lifting, jumping or hard running.

Step 2: Moderate activity

The Goal: Limited body and head movement.

The Time: Reduced from typical routine.

The Activities: Moderate jogging, brief running, moderate-intensity stationary biking, and moderate-intensity weightlifting

Step 3: Heavy, non-contact activity

The Goal: More intense but non-contact

The Time: Close to typical routine

The Activities: Running, high-intensity stationary biking, the player’s regular weightlifting routine, and non-contact sport-specific drills. This stage may add some cognitive component to practice in addition to the aerobic and movement components introduced in Steps 1 and 2.

Step 4: Practice & full contact

The Goal: Reintegrate in full contact practice.

Step 5: Competition

The Goal: Return to competition.