DC Soccer Club recognizes a concussion is a traumatic brain injury that presents a serious risk to youth athletes. DC Soccer Club is committed to safe practices to minimize such risk. DC Soccer Club adheres to Concussion Management protocol in accordance with the DC Athletic Concussion Protection Act of 2011 and the Maryland State Youth Association (MSYSA) mandatory compliance requirements. These policies are designed to protect youth athletes who participate in athletic activities from long-term health dangers associated with failure to properly recognize, treat, and recover from a concussion through:

• training key personnel in concussion recognition and respons
• removing athletes with suspected concussions from further risk
• requiring athletes who have suspected concussions to return to play only with proper written medical clearance.

All DC Soccer staff, coaches (both paid and volunteer), and players over the age of 18 are required to complete the HEADS UP to Brain Injury Awareness training through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Any DC Soccer Club player who is suspected of sustaining a concussion in any club activity (including, but not limited to, training, game, tournaments, tryouts) shall be removed from play, and an incident report must be completed. The player may not return to play until:

• the player is evaluated by a licensed healthcare provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion; and
• has received written clearance to return to play from that health care provider.