Concussion awareness is the first step in reducing repeated sports-related concussions among young athletes. It’s every parent’s worry: seeing your child take a hard fall and hit the ground, hoping their head didn’t make contact with another player, the court, or the field.
Dizziness. Headaches. Confusion.
Many concussion symptoms go unnoticed unless an athlete speaks up or a parent or coach spots the signs. But the consequences of untreated and repeated head injuries can be devastating for athletes of all ages.
For decades, players were told to “shake it off” and get back in the game. Now, research and advocacy are finally shedding light on how serious concussions can be. Brain health matters – it affects nearly every function of the body. And today’s young athletes face more year-round competition through summer leagues, travel teams, and extended high school seasons. Their developing bodies and brains are exposed to more contact and conditioning at younger ages, which raises the risk of sports-related head injuries.
Research Is Raising Awareness
Professional football players, healthcare professionals, and even Hollywood have helped raise awareness of concussions.
Dr. Rosemarie S. Moser, a neuropsychologist and concussion researcher in New Jersey, recently wrote a book on the topic titled “Ahead of the Game”. As director of the RSM Psychology Center and the Sports Concussion Center of New Jersey, she focuses on cognitive testing, post-concussion treatment, and prevention – what she calls “brain hygiene.” Young athletes are especially vulnerable because they may not recognize when they’ve had a concussion.
Concussions by the Numbers
According to the National Safety Council, every three minutes, a child in the U.S. is treated for a sports-related concussion. And it’s not just football or other high-contact sports that raise concern. Research shows that girls actually suffer a higher percentage of concussions in sports like basketball and soccer, where both boys and girls compete.
Other studies highlight that high school athletes have the highest rates of sports-related concussions, but younger, elementary-aged athletes are also at risk. Most concussions occur during games, not practices, and most don’t result in loss of consciousness. This means many concussions may go unrecognized. Helmets and mouth guards can reduce the force of impact, but they can’t prevent a concussion altogether.
Becky Turpin, National Safety Council director of home and community safety, sums it up well: “Concussions are a hard one because they can’t be seen. Parents, coaches, and children all need to be aware of concussions and the seriousness of head injuries.”
Protect The Brain offers even more insight into the sports most often linked with concussions: football ranks highest for boys, while soccer leads for girls. Boys’ ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, and wrestling, and girls’ lacrosse and cheerleading also make the list. Among children ages 5 to 18, the leading sports and activities tied to concussions are bicycling, football, basketball, playground activities, and soccer.
Signs of Concussion
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that makes the brain move rapidly inside the skull. Warning signs include:
- Headache or head pressure
- Confusion, forgetfulness or fogginess
- Poor balance, dizziness, and disorientation
- Glassy eyes, “seeing stars,” or slurred speech
- Ringing in the ears
- Nausea, vomiting, or fatigue
- Trouble remembering and answering questions
- Behavioral or emotional changes
Some symptoms need urgent attention. Parents and coaches should be prepared to act quickly if signs worsen. See the section below on When to Seek Emergency Care for details.
Concussion symptoms can also appear hours or even days later, including difficulty concentrating, memory issues, irritability, depression, sleep disturbances, or sensitivity to light, noise, taste, or smell. Parents can learn even more about recognizing and managing these warning signs in our guide on kids’ concussions.
Immediate Steps After a Suspected Concussion
If you think your child or athlete may have a concussion, taking quick action can prevent further harm.
Remove from Play
The first and most important step is to remove the athlete from the game or practice right away. Continuing to play after a concussion raises the risk of more serious brain injury.
Seek Medical Evaluation
An athlete should be evaluated by a healthcare professional trained in concussion management before returning to play. In many states, laws require medical clearance before a child can rejoin sports activities.
Monitor Closely
Symptoms may appear immediately or over several hours. Keep an eye on the athlete for worsening headaches, dizziness, confusion, or any unusual behavior.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Care
Some concussion symptoms need urgent attention. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if your child experiences:
- Persistent or worsening headache
- Repeated vomiting
- Loss of consciousness, even briefly
- Seizures or convulsions
- Slurred speech or difficulty walking
- Inability to recognize people or places
The Advocates: Parents and Coaches
Parents and coaches are the first line of defense. Beyond relying on athletes to report symptoms, adults need to observe closely if a child has taken a hard hit.
The CDC’s HEADS UP campaign provides education on brain injuries, concussion laws, and prevention. Schools and leagues often have concussion protocols in place, but parents should always advocate for their child’s care.
If symptoms persist, a neuropsychological examination may be recommended. This type of testing can measure brain function in ways that imaging (like MRI or CT scans) cannot.
Recovery and Return to Play
Most young athletes who experience a concussion recover within a couple of weeks with appropriate rest. That means resting both body and brain – avoiding strenuous activity and limiting activities that require heavy mental focus, such as schoolwork, video games, and screen time.
As recovery progresses, prehab exercises may help rebuild strength and mobility once cleared by a clinician.
Return-to-Play Stages
- Rest – 24–48 hours of complete rest, both physical and mental.
- Light Activity – Gentle walking or stretching without symptoms.
- Sport-Specific Exercise – Light drills that don’t involve head impact.
- Non-Contact Practice – Increased intensity but no collisions.
- Full-Contact Practice – Only with medical clearance.
- Game Play – Full return after being symptom-free.
Return-to-School Steps
- Shortened days or reduced workload at first.
- Extra time for assignments or tests.
- Breaks as needed if symptoms flare during class or screen use.
- Gradual increase until the student is back to the normal schedule.
Based on both clinical experience and research, SCCNJ outlines Return-to-Play Decisions and recommends that young athletes not return to contact sports for three weeks after all symptoms have subsided. Dr. Moser advocates more cautious, conservative care and follow-up treatment. That’s because symptoms can last for months and cause short- and long-term problems affecting cognitive functioning, behavior, and academic performance. Returning too soon raises the risk of a second concussion or the rare but serious Second Impact Syndrome.
Summertime is Helmet Time, Too
During the carefree days of summer, Turpin notes it’s important to remember that the sports field isn’t the only place where children and teens can sustain a head injury. Recreational sports, or any activity on wheels, increases the risk for injuries: think playground falls, bicycle and skateboarding accidents, or wiping out on water skis or jet skis.
Prevention and Safety Tips
While not every concussion can be prevented, parents and coaches can take steps to reduce risk:
- Ensure athletes always wear well-fitted helmets and protective gear.
- Encourage proper tackling, heading, and other sport-specific techniques.
- Teach athletes to speak up if they don’t feel right after a hit.
- Model good sportsmanship and enforce fair play rules.
- Promote strength and balance training to improve stability and reduce falls.
Even rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z was recently spotted wearing a helmet while jet skiing – a reminder that protecting your brain is always in style.
Concussion Laws and Sports Protocols
Many states now require athletes to be removed from play immediately after a suspected concussion and cleared by a licensed healthcare professional before returning. These laws help protect young athletes from repeated head injuries. Understanding step one in concussion awareness can help parents and coaches follow these protocols consistently.
Parents and coaches should know their school or league’s concussion protocol and ensure it is consistently followed.
We’re Here to Help
If you suspect your child has a concussion, don’t wait. At Ivy Rehab, we offer comprehensive Concussion Management with specialized evaluations and treatment. Thanks to Direct Access, you don’t need a physician’s referral to get started – you can connect with our trained professionals right away.
