Sports safety training for youth sports coaches is not mandated by federal law, nor is it generally required by law at the state or local level. While some states now require that coaches at the youth level become educated about concussions, most do not.

As a result, while 6 out of 10 youth sports coaches report in a recent survey that they have received some form of sports safety training - with training in CPR (21%) and first aid (13%) the most common form of training - fully 40% have not had any safety training at all.

Best youth sports health and safety practices require that those who coach youth sports, regardless of the age of the athlete or the level of competition receive training in:

On May 10, 2014, the Vineland, New Jersey Daily Journal ran a story under the eye-catching headline, "Midget Football May Be Banned." The Vineland City Council said that the Vineland Midget Football League, which enrolls players between five and fourteen, reported only two of at least eight players who suffered concussions the prior season. The private league also allegedly issued some older players helmets that were designed and recommended only for younger, smaller and lighter players. The city council's vice president said that "nobody followed any protocols" about concussions.

Bukal v. Illinois High School Ass'n, the much-publicized Illinois high school concussion lawsuit, appears to be the next step in Chicago attorney Joe Siprut's campaign to use class action settlements to implement changes to high school and college football concussion policies.

While contact in girls' lacrosse is prohibited, concussions can and do occur. 

The two most recent studies of concussion rates among high school athletes (1,2) report concussion rates in girl's lacrosse essentially tied with girl's soccer for the highest among girl's sports, nearly as high as the concussion rate in boy's lacrosse (not statistically different in terms of rates), and almost double the rate of the girl's sport with the next highest concussion rate (basketball).  

Parents, along with teachers, coaches, school nurses, psychologists, and athletic trainers play a crucial role in a child's treatment and recovery from a suspected concussion, especially the all-important decisions about when to return to school ("return to learn") and everyday social and home activity, and, in most cases, to sports.