One of the toughest decisions in youth soccer is determining when a player who has suffered an injury is ready to return to action. Dr. Dev K. Mishra, who has served as team doctor at the professional, national team, college and high school level, is the founder of SidelineSportsDoc.com. We asked Dr. Mishra for advice on making the return-to-play decision.

Today is soccer practice day, but it isn't because the season ended last weekend. So I'm not checking which balls need to be pumped up, if the first-aid kit is in order, or if the pinnies and goalkeeper gloves are back in the coach's bag. (Which reminds me, are you ever supposed to wash those pinnies?)