Athletic Training/Injury Prevention

It is the student-athlete’s responsibility to report any and all injuries/illnesses to her coach and the certified athletic trainer (ATC). It is important that each student-athlete reports her injury at the time of occurrence; “playing through pain,” is never advised. In fact, early diagnosis and treatment can often safely accelerate a student-athlete’s return to play. The student-athlete’s health and safety are placed before any other external factors (i.e.: I need to play to help us win, etc.). The certified athletic trainer has the final say as to whether a player may continue participation during practice or a match.

If the injury requires medical attention by a doctor or treatment center, an injury report must be completed by the coach and the certified athletic trainer. Student-athletes who seek medical treatment must obtain a doctor’s note, clearing them for participation, before they will be allowed to return to team play.

• A current health history form, which can be downloaded from our website, should be on file with the nurse, prior to participation in athletics. Student-athletes who do not have a completed health history form on file will receive an unexcused absence for each day missed. To avoid jeopardizing their participation in the fall, forms must be returned to the nurse during the summer. If a student-athlete has had a physical within the last 12 months, that physical will suffice until the end of that athletic season. When a physical expires during a season, a new health history form must be on file, prior to a student-athlete’s participation in the next season.
• Health History Update Form (to be turned in during the seasons after the student-athlete's physical).
• Addendum Form
• Emergency Contact and Information Form

The athletic trainer is required to treat all injuries sustained by a student-athlete while playing on a School of the Holy Child athletic team. The athletic trainer cannot treat any Holy Child student (including current “out of season” student-athletes) who has sustained an injury during a non-school related activity. Any student injured during a non-school related activity is required to seek outside medical attention (hospital, pediatrician, etc). The athletic trainer does reserve the right to evaluate an “in season” athlete who sustained injury during a non Holy Child activity and determine whether the athlete needs to seek out further medical attention for said injury; if the injury is hindering their ability to play their Holy Child sport.
Any student injured during regular school hours should report to the school nurse for further evaluation. If said injury occurs during physical education class after 2:30 pm, the athletic trainer or the school nurse may evaluate the student.

A concussion is a brain injury that is caused:

• By a blow to the head or body
• From contact with another player
• By hitting a hard surface such as the ground or floor
• By being hit by a piece of equipment such as a bat, lacrosse stick or field hockey ball

A concussion can change the way your brain normally works, but does not show up on standard medical imaging (e.g. CAT scan). Each concussion presents itself differently for each athlete, with signs and symptoms that may take minutes or hours to develop. Concussions can occur during practice or competition in ANY sport and can happen even if you do not lose consciousness. The symptoms of a concussion are typically temporary and get better with rest.

For more information, please review our Concussion Fact Sheet.

School of the Holy Child uses the ImPACT test, a computerized concussion evaluation system, to help diagnose concussions. ImPACT baseline testing is required for all School of the Holy Child students. For more information about ImPACT testing, click here.

School of the Holy Child follows the New York State Concussion Management and Awareness Act.

For the full concussion management policy at Holy Child:

Concussion Guidelines and Procedures

For information on what to do following a concussion:

Concussion Home Care Instructions

The ACL is one of the four main stabilizing ligaments of the knee. A torn ACL usually occurs through a twisting force being applied to the knee while the foot is firmly planted on the ground or upon landing. ACL injuries are more frequent in females with between 2-8 times more females suffering a rupture than males. The reason for this difference is unknown, however areas of research include anatomical differences, the effect of estrogen on the ACL and, differences in muscle balance in males and females. Generally an ACL tear is a season ending injury that requires surgery. Therefore, injury prevention is key.
School of the Holy Child teams are required to incorporate that Santa Monica Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Research Foundation PEP Program. Please click here to learn more about the PEP Program.

School of the Holy Child follows the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Heat Index and Wind Chill Procedures. During inclement weather, Holy Child follows the NYSPHSAA’s policy on thunder and lightning.

To review each policy, please see:

Heat Index Procedures

Wind Chill Procedures

Thunder and Lightning

On days of inclement weather, please call the Sports Hotline at 914-967-5622. It is updated at 1pm. The Athletics website will reflect the most up-to-date schedules as well.

Holy Child follows a fall acclimatization policy to prevent heat related illnesses (i.e. heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, etc.). The full policy may be found in the Athletics Handbook.