Concussion in sport
Discussion
There was a bit on Sky News this morning regarding concussion. It was nothing more than an advert for a TV programme later today, but intriguing none the less.
My lad plays rugby and has been out for the majority of the season with concussion. He returned to play and on his third match was kicked in the head and then had his head stamped on. The same player, #5, kneed another of our players in the head, fracturing his cheekbone and then kicked a third player of ours in the head with a back heel.
Nothing was seen by the ref and we've cited the player and await the outcome.
But these sorts of actions go on every match: dirty tricks, accidental contact and stud first tackles on players grounding the ball in the area, all seemingly allowed as nothing is done about it.
Rugby is an all out contact sport. Without the big hits the sport would die I think. It is one thing for my son to be knocked out when he's tackled someone and been hit by a hip, but when he's kicked and stamped on it is well out of order. Such behaviour might kill the sport as surely as stopping all contact.
We've cited another incident a couple of seasons ago, where our #8 was deliberately headbutted by a front row less than 90 seconds into the match. Our lad suffered a broken nose and concussion. Nothing was done.
Rugby needs to get its house in order. One level five match and we lost three players to concussion.
The programme is on Sky Sports 1 at 10pm. If you play a sport where head injuries occur it might be for you.
https://www.headway.org.uk/ for those who want to keep their brain intact in middle age.
My lad plays rugby and has been out for the majority of the season with concussion. He returned to play and on his third match was kicked in the head and then had his head stamped on. The same player, #5, kneed another of our players in the head, fracturing his cheekbone and then kicked a third player of ours in the head with a back heel.
Nothing was seen by the ref and we've cited the player and await the outcome.
But these sorts of actions go on every match: dirty tricks, accidental contact and stud first tackles on players grounding the ball in the area, all seemingly allowed as nothing is done about it.
Rugby is an all out contact sport. Without the big hits the sport would die I think. It is one thing for my son to be knocked out when he's tackled someone and been hit by a hip, but when he's kicked and stamped on it is well out of order. Such behaviour might kill the sport as surely as stopping all contact.
We've cited another incident a couple of seasons ago, where our #8 was deliberately headbutted by a front row less than 90 seconds into the match. Our lad suffered a broken nose and concussion. Nothing was done.
Rugby needs to get its house in order. One level five match and we lost three players to concussion.
The programme is on Sky Sports 1 at 10pm. If you play a sport where head injuries occur it might be for you.
https://www.headway.org.uk/ for those who want to keep their brain intact in middle age.
Topical and interesting subject at the moment.
In sporting circles it is starting to be taken more seriously as medical research is now pointing to the longer term effects of serious or multiple concussions.
The example you mention above sounds fairly brutal and blatant and has no place in the sport. I hope the offender is served with an appropriate ban. At the lower levels of rugby where the ref and assistants don't have the benefit of replays and the TMO, it is difficult to police as all sorts can go on in the breakdown. For me the only way to stamp out the serious foul play at this level is to brief players of their responsibilities (duty of care) prior to kick off (think driver's briefing). I would suggest this is carried out by the referee and assistants prior to kick off and reinforced by the coaching/management team at the clubs. Part of this would be to highlight the various bans involved for foul play. This should go someway to creating a better atmosphere prior to the game before tempers flare and enemies are made. Needless to say you'll still get the odd idiot that goes out of his way for a fight or decides to play dirty.
Bigger picture, I predict that more passive measures to reduce concussions such as mandatory wearing of scrum caps is only a matter of years away.
In sporting circles it is starting to be taken more seriously as medical research is now pointing to the longer term effects of serious or multiple concussions.
The example you mention above sounds fairly brutal and blatant and has no place in the sport. I hope the offender is served with an appropriate ban. At the lower levels of rugby where the ref and assistants don't have the benefit of replays and the TMO, it is difficult to police as all sorts can go on in the breakdown. For me the only way to stamp out the serious foul play at this level is to brief players of their responsibilities (duty of care) prior to kick off (think driver's briefing). I would suggest this is carried out by the referee and assistants prior to kick off and reinforced by the coaching/management team at the clubs. Part of this would be to highlight the various bans involved for foul play. This should go someway to creating a better atmosphere prior to the game before tempers flare and enemies are made. Needless to say you'll still get the odd idiot that goes out of his way for a fight or decides to play dirty.
Bigger picture, I predict that more passive measures to reduce concussions such as mandatory wearing of scrum caps is only a matter of years away.
Concussion management is now being taken seriously by motor sport. Here's the latest update from the MSA:
https://www.msauk.org/assets/rulechangesmarch2016.... (see section A11)
Fortunately, unlike in rugby, this rule doesn't realistically lend itself to being exploited unfairly by other competitors.
https://www.msauk.org/assets/rulechangesmarch2016.... (see section A11)
Fortunately, unlike in rugby, this rule doesn't realistically lend itself to being exploited unfairly by other competitors.
MitchmachineUAE said:
In sporting circles it is starting to be taken more seriously as medical research is now pointing to the longer term effects of serious or multiple concussions.
At my level (coaching U10s rugby) we take it VERY seriously. Over the last two years we've only had one major incident requiring a visit to A&E and to be honest that was down to poor skills on the player's part. A biggish lad who rarely attends training/coaching and still plays the 'I can just drive forward'. He came unstuck with a few lads that are catching up in size and got flattened by refusing to go down and set up the ruck.It's a hard one to call, and as coaches after every session/match we debrief and our biggest concern is the lads that don't attend training. At our level every year new aspects of the game are introduced and in play everyone can spot the kids who only turn up for the matches.
MitchmachineUAE said:
Bigger picture, I predict that more passive measures to reduce concussions such as mandatory wearing of scrum caps is only a matter of years away.
I had this very same conversation with our U21 coach who has been helping out at our level. I said that I want all kids wearing them, and I think you are correct and it will be legislated like gum shields and helmets in GAA Hurling.His thoughts are that skull caps don't offer any real protection for concussion - it saves the skin and bruising but the brain is still crashing into the skull at almost the same speed.
It's a hard one to call, and I really don't know the answer other than teaching players not to get into a situation where concussion becomes almost inevitable.
However the situations Derek has described are utterly disgusting and have no part in the game, where deliberate intent is apparent plays must be banned. Fortunately we see very little of it at our level and constantly try to inspire the players to play to the spirit of the game.
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