Concussions

A concussion is a brain injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head, or a body impact that rapidly moves the head and brain. It can affect thinking, learning, mood, behavior, and sleep. Take every suspected concussion seriously and arrange a healthcare evaluation.

Returning too soon increases the risk of another concussion and a longer recovery.

Symptoms may appear hours or days after an injury. Watch for changes from the player’s usual behavior.

• Physical: headache, dizziness, balance or vision problems, nausea, fatigue, or sensitivity to light or noise.
• Thinking: confusion, slowed responses, difficulty concentrating or remembering, or feeling foggy.
• Mood & sleep: irritability, anxiety, sadness, unusual emotions, or changes in sleep.

A player may look dazed, respond slowly, seem unsteady, or show changes in behavior. Report symptoms to a healthcare provider.

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately if any of these occur after an impact:

• Seizures or convulsions.
• Failure to recognize people or places.
• Repeated nausea or vomiting.
• Unusual behavior or increasing confusion, agitation, or restlessness.
• Loss of consciousness with increasing drowsiness, or difficulty waking or staying awake.
• Slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or worsening coordination.
• A worsening headache that will not resolve.
• Unequal pupils or double vision.

1. Remove the player from activity immediately when a concussion is suspected.
2. Check for emergency danger signs and seek urgent care when present.
3. Notify the parent or guardian and arrange a healthcare evaluation. Share the injury details and observed symptoms.
4. Keep the player out for the rest of that day and until a healthcare provider clears their return. Coaches must not determine injury severity or make medical clearance decisions.

Follow the provider’s recovery and school instructions. The player should resume all regular non-sports activities without support or accommodations before completing the sports progression.

AGH requires medical clearance and documentation from a doctor with concussion experience or an AGH-approved certified athletic trainer. The certified athletic trainer administers the progression under healthcare-provider approval and supervision.

Each step usually requires at least 24 hours. Advance only without new symptoms; this is not a fixed six-day schedule.

1. Regular activities: Return to activities such as school and obtain provider approval to begin.
2. Light aerobic exercise: 5–10 minutes of walking, gentle jogging, or exercise cycling; no weights.
3. Moderate exercise: Moderate jogging, cycling, and reduced-intensity weights.
4. Heavy non-contact exercise: Harder running, regular weights, and non-contact field hockey drills.
5. Controlled practice: Resume practice, including contact appropriate to the sport.
6. Competition: Return to games.

If symptoms recur or new symptoms appear, stop and contact the healthcare provider. After additional rest and symptoms resolve, resume at the previous step as directed.

Read CDC’s return-to-sports guidance ↗