New rule on concussions

Found this article from the York Dispatch newspaper by Jeffrey Johnson:

Last month, at a meeting in Indianapolis, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Wrestling Rules Committee adopted an interesting new rule.

Starting with the 2010-2011 season, "any contestant who shows signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion shall be removed immediately from the match and shall not return to competition until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional."

This differs from the previous rule, which directed officials to remove an athlete from competition if "apparently unconscious."

Of course, pundits will argue that this change could lead to trouble. Referees may be put in some tense, rather difficult situations when a head injury is sustained in a match. They'll be asked to basically render a medical opinion on the spot.
Ultimately, though, this rule is about protecting wrestlers and their futures. No one should be arguing against that.
"Many times we've had wrestlers who are hitting the mat hard and maybe it's not a concussion," Spring Grove High head coach Tony Miller said back in the winter. "(But) you err on the side of safety. (Two seasons ago), there were two times we stopped matches with kids we weren't sure."

Which is exactly the way you would hope all wrestling coaches approach head injuries.

Sure, it's a sport that rewards courage and requires one to fight through pain regularly. But why not be smart about this? Why not err on the side of caution, as Miller said?

That way there will be no long-lasting health ramifications for high school wrestlers, meaning we can all breathe a little easier.

Jeffrey A. Johnson covers high school wrest ling for The York Dispatch. He can be reached at jjohn son@yorkdispatch.com or 505-5406.