Safety
The Metro Atlanta Street Hockey Association (MASHA) recognizes the serious risks posed by concussions and other traumatic brain injuries. This policy outlines our commitment to concussion awareness, education, recognition, and injury management across all league activities.
MASHA promotes concussion education through multiple channels, including:
Clear language in our participant waiver regarding concussion risks, symptoms, and return-to-play restrictions.
Concussion acknowledgment required during registration for all participants and guardians of minors.
Reference to CDC educational resources, including the Heads Up Concussion in Youth Sports program: www.cdc.gov/headsup
We encourage all players, guardians, volunteers, and captains to review these materials annually to stay informed.
All MASHA officials, team captains, and participants should be familiar with the signs and symptoms of a concussion. These may include:
Physical: Headache, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, sensitivity to light or noise
Cognitive: Confusion, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, slurred speech
Emotional: Irritability, anxiety, mood changes
Sleep-related: Drowsiness, fatigue, insomnia
MASHA follows a “when in doubt, sit them out” approach. Any participant exhibiting concussion symptoms after a blow to the head or body must be removed from play immediately.
If a suspected concussion occurs during play:
Remove the participant from play immediately. Do not allow return the same day.
Evaluate for signs and symptoms of concussion. Record:
The cause of the injury
Any loss of consciousness and duration
Any memory loss or seizures
History of prior concussions
Inform the participant’s parent or guardian (if under 18) and provide basic concussion information.
Refer the participant to a licensed healthcare provider experienced in concussion evaluation.
No participant with a suspected concussion may return to play until they:
Are symptom-free, and
Provide written medical clearance from a licensed healthcare professional
This policy helps reduce the risk of repeat concussions, which can lead to long-term neurological damage or, in rare cases, death.
This concussion safety program is adopted as part of MASHA’s official league guidelines. All league officials, captains, volunteers, and participants are expected to understand and comply with this policy.
This policy is designed to align with best practices and the principles outlined in Georgia’s “Return to Play Act of 2013” (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-324.1), which governs concussion management for youth athletes. While MASHA is a private amateur league, we voluntarily adopt these standards to protect the health and safety of all participants, including minors age 16 and up.
Updated: July 13, 2025
