Concussion. One word that could change our game forever?

[Shoe1]

The game just needs to crack down on head highs and make sure anyone who is concussed has an appropriate test. And if a player has multiple concussions then best to manage him into retirement.

This is kind of happening, with a few exceptions including dodgy HIA players returning to the field.

The nrl seems to be aware of the situation, but clubs are always going to push the boundary.

 

[yokahontas]

My concern is .. how can an 8 year old sign a waiver ..can parents waive on behalf of minors ???

It’s not uncommon for parents to do that - every martial arts competition entry form I’ve ever filled out has had a space for parents to sign the waiver if the competitor is under 18. Common practice for recreational activities like go-karting, indoor skydiving, rock climbing, trampolining etc, even school camps as well.

What was drummed into us on taekwondo umpiring courses is that if you’re the centre referee, the most important part of your job is protecting the fighters - so penalising fouls etc, but also being prepared to stop the bout if someone is getting ten shades of sh*t beaten out of them and not putting up an adequate defence, same as boxing, MMA etc. You could still be subject to legal action if someone gets hurt because you neglected that responsibility, the fact that they signed a waiver notwithstanding. Which I guess is much the same as the way it applies to all contact sports, footy included.

 

[globaleagle]

It’s not uncommon for parents to do that - every martial arts competition entry form I’ve ever filled out has had a space for parents to sign the waiver if the competitor is under 18. Common practice for recreational activities like go-karting, indoor skydiving, rock climbing, trampolining etc, even school camps as well.

What was drummed into us on taekwondo umpiring courses is that if you’re the centre referee, the most important part of your job is protecting the fighters - so penalising fouls etc, but also being prepared to stop the bout if someone is getting ten shades of sh*t beaten out of them and not putting up an adequate defence, same as boxing, MMA etc. You could still be subject to legal action if someone gets hurt because you neglected that responsibility, the fact that they signed a waiver notwithstanding. Which I guess is much the same as the way it applies to all contact sports, footy included.

Psssh...!

No dim-mak.... No play!

Also, in the NHL as doctor after doctor comes out and talks about the cte effects on the noggin from fighting etc, the ceo, Bettman (greenburg equivalent) just keeps on saying: "Well no real proof yet" and somehow that's acceptable.

It's like when tobacco companies vehemently claimed there was nothing wrong with cigarettes.

 

[Dion Johnson]

Interesting read and the players take that they want to make things better for future players.

They could well do more harm then good.

What would be interesting is the data on how many players wearing headgear suffer concussions compared to without headgear. The variables you could somewhat measure out by position played how many hit ups, tackles, bombs taken etc.

 

[Woodsie]

Interesting read and the players take that they want to make things better for future players.

They could well do more harm then good.

What would be interesting is the data on how many players wearing headgear suffer concussions compared to without headgear. The variables you could somewhat measure out by position played how many hit ups, tackles, bombs taken etc.

Head gear and helmets have proven to have nil effect in reducing concussion ... they can and do reduce cuts and abrasions, but stopping the effect of a blow making the brain bounce around in the skull they will not do ..

in fact it is a common narrative that the opposite is probably true, and that the wearer places himself in greater danger by having a false sense of protection ... see NFL ..

 

[tookey]

This has been going to happen for a while now.

Once insurance companies drop off it will get worse/ better.

It may get the the stage where the NRL has to self insure against claims for concussion

Expect every players contract to then have a clause acknowledging the risks and that they cannot make a future claim against the club or NRL

 

[yokahontas]

Head gear and helmets have proven to have nil effect in reducing concussion ... they can and do reduce cuts and abrasions, but stopping the effect of a blow making the brain bounce around in the skull they will not do ..

in fact it is a common narrative that the opposite is probably true, and that the wearer places himself in greater danger by having a false sense of protection ... see NFL ..

I agree with the ‘false sense of security’ thing, it happens in martial arts too - plus it reduces your peripheral vision and ability to dodge/duck a fist or foot coming at you, especially from the side. Personally hate headgear and have only ever worn it when forced to, if it’s optional I won’t.

Heads being used as battering rams has been raised as an issue in the NFL before - no way you’d ever deliberately lead with your head if you weren’t wearing a helmet! That’s how bad the false sense of protection can get.

 

[manlyfan76]

I agree with the ‘false sense of security’ thing, it happens in martial arts too - plus it reduces your peripheral vision and ability to dodge/duck a fist or foot coming at you, especially from the side. Personally hate headgear and have only ever worn it when forced to, if it’s optional I won’t.

Heads being used as battering rams has been raised as an issue in the NFL before - no way you’d ever deliberately lead with your head if you weren’t wearing a helmet! That’s how bad the false sense of protection can get.

I saw a doco on this very thing
The helmet tackle l, due to added weight made it worse!

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Interesting article about Timana Tahu's involvement in research about safer tackling techniques

‘I thought someone king hit me’: The sickening knock that sparked ex-NRL star’s game-changing move

‘Did someone hit me?’: Sickening knock that sparked ex-NRL star’s game-changing move

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[manlyfan76]

28 day concussion protocol?

Research calls for rethink on concussion recovery

Research calls for rethink on concussion recovery

www.sbs.com.au

 

[manlyfan76]

The Natural History of Sport-Related Concussion in Collegiate Athletes: Findings from the NCAA-DoD CARE Consortium - Sports Medicine

Background Sport-related concussion is recognized as a significant injury with variable recovery rates. Objective This study defined the acute natural history of sport concussion in male and female collegiate athletes participating in a broad array of sports. Methods We conducted a prospective...

link.springer.com

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I saw on TV yesterday they are thinking about bringing in “ no tackling “ for Juniors.

Not sure how kids learn the game if that’s going to happen.

 

[Uk eagle]

I saw on TV yesterday they are thinking about bringing in “ no tackling “ for Juniors.

Not sure how kids learn the game if that’s going to happen.

The game as I know it has been dying a slow death for a long time. It's being replaced with a sanitised version of a game somewhat akin to rugby league but not quite the same. As the world turns slowly into veganism then football turns slowly into its own version of veganism and is all the worse for it.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

The game as I know it has been dying a slow death for a long time. It's being replaced with a sanitised version of a game somewhat akin to rugby league but not quite the same. As the world turns slowly into veganism then football turns slowly into its own version of veganism and is all the worse for it.

It’s certainly a far stretch from the game I grew up with and first played 60 years ago.

 

[double hoops]

So they are already calling for the banning of all tackling in sport in Oz and want heading of soccer ball gone as well.

Now that the sex of a child has been removed from birth certificates in 2023, your kidding yourself if you say it will never happen.

I can't imagine that more research into the topic is going to help leagues case.

If anything, this might make those already calling for league and union to merge back together to help some form of rugby survive in the future even louder.

 

[The Who]

We, gridiron has shown us that covering players with protective clothing and helmets doesn't work.
A headgear may help in soccer with headers though.