Concussion is a relatively common injury in football.
That’s why everyone who takes part in football needs to know four things:
• What concussion is
• How you recognise it
• What to do if a player is concussed
• How to manage a player’s return to training/playing
You can read more about all these aspects in England Football's comprehensive guidelines. In addition, we strongly recommend you spend 20 minutes taking the online free concussion guidelines course provided by England Football Learning, the education arm of England Football.
What Is Concussion?
Learn more about concussion and how to spot the signs.
If any of the following signs or symptoms are present following an injury the player should be suspected of having concussion and immediately removed from play or training and must not return to play that day.
· Headache
· Dizziness
· Mental clouding, confusion, or feeling slowed down
· Visual problems
· Nausea or vomiting
· Fatigue
· Drowsiness / feeling like "in a fog" / difficulty concentrating
· "Pressure in head"
· Sensitivity to light or noise
The symptoms of concussion typically appear immediately, but their onset may be delayed and can appear at any time after the initial injury. Loss of consciousness does not always occur in concussion (in fact it occurs in less than 10% of concussions). A concussed player may still be standing up and may not have fallen to the ground after the injury.
Once safely removed from play they must not return to activity that day. Team-mates, coaches, match officials, team managers, administrators or parents who suspect someone may have concussion must do their best to ensure that they are removed from play in a safe manner.
If a neck injury is suspected, suitable guidelines regarding the management of this type of injury at pitch side should also be followed (see useful links for pitch side injury management training).
If ANY of the following are reported then the player should be transported for urgent medical assessment at the nearest hospital emergency department:
Severe Neck Pain, Deteriorating consciousness (more drowsy), Increasing confusion or irritability, Severe or increasing headache, Repeated vomiting, Unusual behaviour change, Seizure (fit), Double vision, Weakness or tingling / burning in arms or legs.
In all cases of suspected concussion it is recommended that the player is referred to a medical or healthcare professional for diagnosis and advice, even if the symptoms resolve.
FA ITMMiF course
Intermediate pitch-side trauma management for doctors, physiotherapists and allied health care professionals working in football. Get started here
FA ATMMiF course
Advanced pitch-side trauma management for doctors, physiotherapists and allied health care professionals working in football. Get started here

Concussion for Players: Lessons from the pitch
Former Reading and Ireland striker, Kevin Doyle is joined by Chelsea and England defender Millie Bright, and grassroots player Mitch Lacey to share their open, honest accounts of concussions in football.
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Free Online Training
If you’re involved in football in any way, we strongly encourage you to take our free online course on how to identify and handle concussion.
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Concussion Quiz
Are you aware of the basics of concussion? Take the quiz now and let’s find out. When in comes to concussion, don’t take chances.
TAKE THE QUIZ