As the mother of four children, active in sports programs since the time they were little, one of my biggest worries is their safety during practice and game time. Protective gear is not always a safeguard against injury. In some sports, like soccer and gymnastics, there’s no protection to the head and neck area at all. There’s risk of injury involved every time your child walks on the field or enters the mat.
Concussions, in particular, are a huge cause for concern. Your child may not recognize the symptoms, then Coaches and Parents may not recognize them either. I myself have had two concussions. One while I was a child after hitting my head on a balance beam during a gymnastics meet, and the other one from a fall a few years ago. Even as an adult, I didn’t realize I had a concussion at first. So, I know how difficult it is for a child to determine whether or not their injuries should result in their removal from a game or event.
Remove From Play Testing for Youth Athletes
The King-Devick Test from Remove From Play Testing wants to help Players, Coaches, and Parents recognize symptoms of a concussion with their rapid, easy-to-administer eye movement screening test. The King-Devick Test and Remove From Play Testing is an important and essential sideline tool for all Youth Athletes programs. According to Amaal Starling, M.D., Mayo Clinic neurologist, “Youth athletes are at a higher risk for concussion and have longer recovery time than adults.”
The King-Devick method uses rapid number naming to identify head trauma. This result determines whether coaches should remove a young athlete from play. As a result, the King-Devick test can help prevent the serious effects of repetitive concussions caused by premature return to play after a head injury. Parents or coaches administer the test in minutes. It is an accurate and reliable method for identifying athletes with head trauma. Remove From Play Testing has particular relevance to contact and collision activities. This includes, but isn’t limited to: football, hockey, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, rugby, baseball, softball, and cheerleading.
One Mom’s Thoughts
I feel very strongly that The King-Devick Test and Remove From Play Testing should be implemented in all Youth Athletic programs and I will be sending a request letter to the directors in charge of the programs my children participate in. If you are interested in learning how to inform the Athletic community in your area about this important safeguard then take a look at the Remove From Play Testing Team Mom Playbook. In the Playbook, you’ll find information and resources. This includes a form letter to present to the decision-makers of Youth Athletic programs.
Get More Info
For more information on The King-Devick Test and Remove From Play Testing you can connect with them here:
Remove From Play Website – www.rfp2test.com
Remove From Play “Team Mom” Digital Playbook – http://bit.ly/RFPplaybook
Facebook.com/removefromplay2test
Demonstration video – http://rfp2test.com/trainer-demonstration.html
