Concussion Recognition in Kids and Youth Sports: Signs and What to Do
A child doesn’t have to black out to have a concussion. Learn the signs every parent and coach should know, the rule that protects young brains, and when a bump on the head is an emergency.
If a child takes a blow to the head or body and shows any concussion sign — headache, dizziness, confusion, “seeing stars,” nausea, balance trouble, or acting off — treat it as a concussion. (1) Take them out of play immediately and keep them out for the day. (2) Check for red flags (loss of consciousness, seizure, repeated vomiting, worsening headache, increasing confusion, weakness) — if any are present, call 911. (3) Keep them calm and supervised, and have a doctor assess them the same day. A child does not need to lose consciousness to have a concussion. The rule: when in doubt, sit them out.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head — or even a hit to the body that snaps the head and brain back and forth. It temporarily affects how the brain works. Importantly, a concussion is a functional injury, not a bruise or bleed you can see: it rarely shows up on a standard brain scan, and a child does not have to lose consciousness to have one. In fact, the large majority of concussions happen with no blackout at all.
Source: Canadian Red Cross first aid guidance; Parachute Canada, Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport.
The Signs and Symptoms to Watch For
Concussion symptoms can appear right away or come on over minutes to hours. No single sign is required — it is the appearance of any of them after a blow that matters. They fall into four groups:
Physical
- Headache or pressure in the head
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred or double vision
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Feeling dazed, stunned, or “seeing stars”
Thinking and memory
- Confusion or feeling foggy
- Slow to answer questions
- Trouble concentrating or remembering
- Not sure of the score, the time, or what happened
Emotional
- Irritability or being more emotional than usual
- Sadness, anxiety, or nervousness
- Mood swings
Sleep
- Drowsiness or low energy
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Trouble falling asleep
Source: Canadian Red Cross first aid guidance (concussion recognition); Parachute Canada.
Step-by-Step: What to Do If You Suspect a Concussion
1Remove the child from play immediately
The moment you suspect a concussion, take the child out of the game or activity — and keep them out for the rest of the day. Do not let them “shake it off” and return. This is the single most important step.
2Check for emergency red flags
Quickly assess for the serious signs listed at the top of this page — loss of consciousness, vomiting, worsening headache, confusion, weakness, seizure. If any are present, call 911. If you suspect a neck or spine injury, do not move the child and keep them still.
3Keep them calm, still, and supervised
Have the child rest quietly in a calm, safe place. Do not leave them alone. Reassure them — concussion can make kids anxious and emotional.
4Tell the parents and arrange medical assessment
Any child or youth with a suspected concussion should be seen by a doctor. Inform the parents or guardians right away and make sure the child is assessed the same day. Share exactly what happened and what symptoms you saw.
5Monitor and watch for deterioration
Concussion is an evolving injury — symptoms can appear or worsen over the hours and days that follow. Parents should watch closely and return for emergency care if any red flags develop — repeated vomiting, worsening headache, increasing drowsiness or confusion, weakness, or seizures. It is fine to let a child sleep, but they should be easy to rouse.
Source: Canadian Red Cross first aid guidance (recognize, remove, refer, and monitor for deterioration). First aid does not diagnose or clear a return to play — that is a doctor’s role.
“When in Doubt, Sit Them Out”
This phrase is the heart of youth concussion safety, and it exists because of a real danger. During recovery, the concussed brain is more susceptible to further injury, and a child who returns to play while still concussed risks a second impact before the first injury has healed — which can cause far more severe, even catastrophic, brain injury. They also take longer to recover.
No game, no tournament, no playoff is worth that risk. If there is any suspicion of concussion, the child sits out and sees a doctor. A coach or parent never has to be certain — suspicion alone is enough to act. Recognition, removal, and referral is the honest limit of what first aid can safely offer; diagnosis and return-to-play clearance belong to a doctor.
Source: Canadian Red Cross first aid guidance; Parachute Canada, Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport.
Returning to School and Sport Safely
Recovery is a gradual, stepwise process — and return to learning comes before return to sport. The general shape of the process, described by Parachute Canada’s Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport, looks like this — but the specific steps and timing for any individual child should be directed by the doctor who assessed them:
- Initial rest: A short period of relative physical and mental rest, then gentle activity that does not worsen symptoms.
- Return to school first: Gradually reintroduce schoolwork, with accommodations like reduced screen time and breaks as needed, progressing as symptoms allow.
- Stepwise return to sport: Light aerobic activity, then sport-specific drills, then non-contact training, then full-contact practice, and finally games — moving up gradually and only if symptom-free at each stage.
- Medical clearance: A child must be cleared by a doctor before returning to full-contact sport. This is non-negotiable.
Source: Parachute Canada, Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport (return-to-school and return-to-sport strategies). Individual pacing and clearance are set by the assessing physician.
Recovery times vary. Parachute Canada notes most children and youth recover within about one to four weeks, though some take longer, and children generally recover more slowly than adults. Rushing the process is a common cause of prolonged symptoms — which is why every step is directed by the doctor who assessed the child.
Source: Parachute Canada. Recovery timelines vary by individual and are judged by the assessing physician; this figure is a general estimate, not a guarantee.
Prepared Sidelines Save Brains
Concussions happen at hockey rinks, soccer pitches, and playgrounds across the country every weekend. The adults who handle them well are the ones who knew the signs in advance and had a plan. A Life Safe first aid course covers head and spinal injuries, concussion recognition, and the emergency response skills — including CPR — that every coach, parent, and youth volunteer should have on the sideline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs of a concussion in a child?
They fall into four groups: physical (headache, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, light/noise sensitivity, balance problems), thinking (confusion, slow responses, memory gaps, feeling foggy), emotional (irritability, sadness, mood swings), and sleep (drowsiness or sleeping more or less than usual). A child does not need to lose consciousness — most concussions happen without any blackout (Canadian Red Cross).
What does “when in doubt, sit them out” mean?
If you suspect a concussion, remove the child from play immediately and keep them out for the rest of the day. Continuing to play risks a far more serious second injury and prolongs recovery. No game is worth a child’s brain. A young athlete suspected of concussion must see a doctor before returning to sport (Canadian Red Cross; Parachute Canada).
When is a head injury an emergency?
Call 911 for loss of consciousness, a seizure, repeated vomiting, a worsening or severe headache, increasing confusion or drowsiness, limb weakness or numbness, slurred speech, unequal pupils, fluid or blood from the nose or ears, or a stiff neck. Also treat a possible neck or spine injury seriously — keep the child still and do not move them (Canadian Red Cross).
How long does it take to recover from a concussion?
Recovery times vary, and only a doctor can judge an individual case. Parachute Canada notes most children and youth recover within about one to four weeks, though some take longer, and kids generally recover more slowly than adults. Recovery means a short initial rest, then a gradual step-by-step return to school and then sport, progressing only when symptom-free, and a doctor must clear a child before return to contact sport. Returning too soon is a common cause of prolonged symptoms.
Coach, Parent, or Volunteer? Be Ready on the Sideline
Recognizing a concussion and responding to a serious head injury are skills every youth-sport adult should have. Life Safe’s hands-on first aid and CPR courses prepare you to protect young athletes when it matters most.
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Sources & medical review
Written and reviewed by Milos Radojcic (Canadian Red Cross / Heart & Stroke / Lifesaving Society First Aid & CPR Instructor, 10+ yrs; First Aid Instructor Trainer). Clinical content aligned with Canadian Red Cross first aid guidance and the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada (aligned with the 2025 ILCOR consensus). Return-to-sport, return-to-learn and recovery-timeline guidance from Parachute Canada (Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport) and Ontario’s Rowan’s Law. Last reviewed July 2026.