Written by a guest author - Gabriel Spencer
Youth sports offer kids so many valuable lessons—teamwork, discipline, and confidence. But they can also come with risks, especially when it comes to concussions. While concussions can’t always be prevented, understanding the risks and proper response can make all the difference in a young athlete’s safety and long-term health.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body. Even a seemingly minor hit can disrupt normal brain function. Symptoms can appear immediately or take hours—or even days—to show up.
Common Signs of a Concussion
Headache or pressure in the head
Confusion or feeling “foggy”
Nausea or vomiting
Balance problems or dizziness
Sensitivity to light or noise
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability or unusual behavior
If any of these symptoms appear after a hit, the athlete should be removed from play right away and evaluated by a medical professional.
High-Risk Sports
While concussions can happen in almost any sport, they’re more common in:
Football
Soccer
Hockey
Basketball
Cheerleading and gymnastics
These sports often involve frequent contact or high-speed movements that increase the risk of head impacts.
Reducing the Risk
Completely preventing concussions isn’t possible, but we can take steps to lower the risk:
Proper technique: Teaching safe tackling, heading, and falling methods.
Protective gear: Ensuring helmets and mouthguards fit properly and meet safety standards.
Open communication: Encouraging kids to speak up about symptoms instead of “playing through it.”
Sideline protocols: Removing any athlete suspected of a concussion until cleared by a healthcare professional.
Recovery and Return to Play
Recovery times vary depending on the severity of the concussion. Most young athletes recover within a few weeks, but returning to play too soon can cause serious complications. Coaches and parents should follow a step-by-step return-to-play protocol, starting with rest and gradually reintroducing light activity under medical supervision.
Learn More
To help parents and coaches better identify and respond to concussions, Cordisco & Saile created two free resources:
Concussions in Youth Guide — covers prevention, symptoms, and treatment.
Concussion Quiz — helps you recognize possible signs of a concussion.
Together, we can make youth sports safer and protect the next generation of athletes.