Volleyball is growing in popularity all over the world. While it’s not a high contact sport like football and ice hockey, the combination of high speed hits and aggressive diving and defense pose a high risk for head impacts in indoor and beach volleyball.
Concussions in volleyball happen during competition, practice and warm-up drills. Here’s what you need to know about concussions in order to keep your athletes safe:
If a concussion is suspected take the following steps
1. Remove athlete from play
2. Athlete should be evaluated by a medical provider experienced in evaluating for concussion
3. Athlete’s parent/legal guardian should be informed when the athlete is diagnosed with a concussion
4. Athletes can return to full sports activities based on written instructions from the athlete’s health care provider
Signs to check for symptoms of concussion
- Appearing dazed or stunned
- Forgetting plays, scores or assignments
- Loss of consciousness (even brief)
- Loss of memory prior to or after the impact
- Personality or behavior changes
Symptoms of concussion
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness (even brief)
- Memory loss
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Double or blurry vision
Return-To-Play: These are Steps Recommended by Concussion In Sport Group (CISG)
- Symptom-Limited Activity
- Light Aerobic Exercise
- Sport-Specific Exercise
- Non-Contact Training Drills
- Full Contact Practice
- Return To Sports
Here Are Specialists Who May Be Involved in the Treatment of an Athlete’s Concussion:
- Physician with expertise in concussion management
- Pediatric sports medicine specialists
- Neurologists
- Radiologists
- Neurosurgeons
- Neuropsychologists
- Physical Therapists
- Athletic Trainers or Therapists
Tools & Resources
- Responding to a Concussion and Action Plan for Coaches
- Concussions: Prevention strategies from USA Volleyball’s Dr. Chris Koutures
- Concussion Guide for Parents and Caregivers
- HEADCHECK Manager Tool to easily follow athlete health and safety protocols
About the Author 
HEADCHECK provides cutting edge concussion and complete injury management compliance software to sports leagues, clubs, teams, state associations, Olympic committees & federations, national governing bodies, and more. Current clients include over 3,000 organizations such as Major League Soccer, the Canadian Football League, New Jersey Youth Soccer, True Lacrosse, and USA Cycling. Learn more at www.headcheckhealth.com
