Injury Management Procedures

It is the athlete’s responsibility to report to the athletic trainer and coach all injuries and illnesses as soon as possible. The IPS school based athletic trainers are available every school day during practices and home competitions. General training room hours are from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.

If an illness/injury occurs that is non-life threatening, the athlete shall report immediately to the athletic trainer. If the injury is not reported to the athletic trainer, and a physician is consulted, a note from the physician is required for return to participation. If the athlete needs to see a physician due to an athletic injury, the athletic trainers are familiar with area physicians who treat athletic injuries and understand the high school athlete. The athletic trainer will assist in finding a sports medicine physician within the family’s insurance network.

In the event of a serious medical emergency during school sponsored athletics, the athletic trainer and/or IPS School Police will contact emergency medical services and follow the procedures detailed in each school’s written Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for athletics.

If a serious athletic injury occurs during “off” hours and the athletic trainer is not available, coaches will follow the Emergency Action Plan by calling 911 and activating the EMS system. The athletic trainer should be notified of the athlete’s injury as soon as reasonably possible so they can assist with follow up care and treatment.

Return to Play Following Injury

Decisions regarding the availability of an athlete for practice or game competition require the cooperative efforts of the athlete, coach, athletic trainer, physician, parents and athletic director. Decisions will be made based on sound medical judgment with the outcome being good athletic health care for the athlete. The following guidelines will be used to determine player status:

  • If an athlete is under the care of a physician, the physician shall determine the availability of the athlete. Under no circumstances shall the coach allow the athlete to participate without specific direction from the sports medicine staff. A “no-play” decision by the physician will always be followed by the District.
  • If the athlete is NOT under the care of a physician, the responsibility regarding the availability of an athlete for participation rests with the Athletic Training staff. The school based athletic trainer, under the direction of a physician, will determine the athlete’s the playing status.
  • If the athlete or coach disregards the medical decision of the athletic training staff, the athletic trainer will document the circumstances and notify the school athletic director.

Pre-Participation Athletic Physicals

The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) requires all student athletes to have a physical examination administered, signed and dated by a licensed medical physician. Physicians may choose to have a nurse practitioner involved in the administration of the physical but the physician must sign and date the form.

In order to be eligible for the following school year, all physicals must be administered after April 1st.

Physical examination forms are available in the athletic training room, the athletic office or may be downloaded from the IHSAA website (www.ihsaa.org).

Completed forms (should include history, physical exam, insurance information, parent consent and signature) should be turned in to the school athletic trainer or designated coach. If the form is missing a parent signature, it will be considered incomplete.

No student may participate in IPS athletic activities (including conditioning, practices and/or competition) if they do not have a completed IHSAA physical on file.

Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Forms

In compliance with requirements of the Indiana Department of Education regarding concussions and sudden cardiac arrest, IPS has developed the following guidelines for their schools.

  • All student athletes must read “Heads Up – Concussion in High School Sports – A Fact Sheet for Athletes AND “Sudden Cardiac Arrest – A Fact Sheet for Student Athletes”.
  • All student athlete parents must read “Heads Up – Concussion in High School Sports – A Fact Sheet for Parents AND “Sudden Cardiac Arrest – A Fact Sheet for Parents”.
  • After reading these documents, both the student athlete and their parent/guardian must sign the designated “Acknowledgement and Signature Form for Parents and Student Athletes.” THIS FORM MUST BE RETURNED BEFORE THE STUDENT ATHLETE IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY PRACTICE, OR COMPETITION.

As outlined in Indiana State Law regarding concussions (IC-20-34-7) “A high school athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game, shall be removed from play at the time of injury and may not return to play until the student athlete has received a written clearance from a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and head injuries, and not less than twenty- four (24) hours have passed since the student athlete was removed from play.”

An athlete may not return to activity until they:

  • Have received clearance from an “ImPACT” trained physician*.
  • Are back to normal on all neurological and cognitive tests.
  • Are symptom-free at rest.
  • Have completed a graded return to activity progression without the return of symptoms.

*IPS has partnered with the Indiana Sports Concussion Network

As outlined in Indiana State Law regarding Sudden Cardiac Arrest (IC 20-34- 8) “A student athlete who is suspected of experiencing symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest shall be removed from play and may not return to play until the coach has received verbal permission from a parent or legal guardian of the student athlete to return to play. Within twenty-four hours, this verbal permission must be replaced by a written statement from the parent or guardian.“

The “SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST RELEASE TO PLAY FORM FOR PARENTS” is available from the school athletic trainer or from the Indiana Department of Education website. Student athletes will NOT be allowed to practice or condition until their completed IHSAA Physical form and signed Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Acknowledgement forms are on file in the athletic office or training room.