Talking to your Coach About a Concussion
By Ryann Bloom
Concussions are difficult to talk about. Due to the nature of the injury it can be tough to explain how you’re feeling, what you need and how much time you need to recover. As an athlete, you don’t want to miss games or practices and the last thing you want to do is disappoint your teammates or your coach. It can be tempting to avoid having a conversation with your coach about your head injury.
When I suffered my concussions, I tried to avoid talking about it with anyone. I didn’t want anyone telling me I hadto sit out. In my head I thought “I know what I can handle, I’ll be fine.”I was stubborn, I should have spoken up about what I needed to recover. It’s never an easy conversation to have, but it needs to happen so your coach can understand how to help you.
When to talk to your coach
It’s important to talk to your coach as soon as you can after you have sustained a head injury. Rest is the key to recovery for concussions. Once you start developing symptoms, it’s critical for you to stop activities that require mental or physical exertion. Continuing to practice while having symptoms can make your recovery time longer and also make the symptoms worse. Talk to your coach right away so they are able to take you out of practice and give you the rest you need.
What to say
When you talk to your coach be sure to tell them exactly what is going on with you. If you try to downplay your symptoms they may not take your injury as seriously as they should. Don’t be afraid to use the C-word (you know? concussion).
The word concussion has power to it. During my last two years as a cheerleader I tried to avoid the word. Saying you have a concussion will make it obvious to your coach that you need rest. Instead, I tried to pretend I was okay. I should have had the courage to say that I wouldn’t be practicing until all my symptoms had gone away. This is the conversation you should have. This conversation can be intimidating. You may feel like you’re letting your coach down, but you’re not. A coach wouldn’t expect you to play with a broken arm, they should treat this invisible injury the same way they would treat a visible one.
What to do if your coach still encourages you to participate
It’s unfortunate but you might find yourself in a situation where your coach will not take your health and safety seriously and they will put the sport first. They could do this by making you feel bad about sitting out or threatening to replace you. This can be devastating. No coach should make you choose between your health and the sport you love. If your coach does not respond well, there are some options for you.
Most schools have someone who oversees all athletics. If you are a student-athlete you can look for someone in sports administration to talk to about your injury. Universities and colleges put education first. If you have a brain injury they will inform your coach that you are unable to participate until you are clear of all symptoms. If you are not a student, look for someone in your league who will listen to you. They can advise your coach on how to better handle your concussion.
You could also bring in a note from your doctor informing your coach of your injury. Some coaches may ask for this anyways and require a second note when you are able to return to practices. If your coach doesn’t take your word about your concussion, they should listen to a doctor.
At the end of the day, it comes down to you. You have the power to give yourself what you need to recover. Be aware of the symptoms of a concussion so you know when to pull yourself from mental and physical activities. I had to retire from the sport I loved early because of my concussions. In hindsight, sitting out for a few weeks would have been in my best interest. You have to put your safety first. The sport will end but you are with your brain forever, take care of it.