Concussion in Community Sport: How to Spot a Head Knock and What to Do Next

It happens in a heartbeat. One moment your teenager is going up for a mark at the local footy, or chasing a loose ball at netball, and the next they’ve come off second-best in a clash of heads.

On weekend grounds right across Australia, head knocks are part of the game, but knowing how to respond to one is what keeps players safe.

At community level, the person on the sideline is often a parent, a volunteer first-aider, a student trainer or a club runner rather than a doctor. That makes it all the more important that everyone involved in grassroots sport understands what a concussion looks like and why “when in doubt, sit them out” has become the national rule of thumb.

What actually is a concussion?

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a direct blow to the head, or by a knock to the body that jolts the head and brain. The brain moves rapidly inside the skull, temporarily disrupting the way brain cells communicate.

Importantly, you do not need to be knocked out to have a concussion. In fact, the vast majority of concussions happen without any loss of consciousness at all.

Because the injury is functional rather than structural, a concussion usually won’t show up on a standard CT or MRI scan. That’s why recognizing the signs and symptoms on the day, and getting a proper assessment, matters so much.

The warning signs to watch for

Concussion symptoms fall into four broad groups. A player may show just one, or several, and symptoms can be delayed by minutes or even hours.

Physical signs

• Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head

• Dizziness, balance problems or unsteadiness

• Nausea or vomiting

• Sensitivity to light or noise

• Blurred or double vision

Cognitive (thinking) signs

• Confusion, or seeming dazed and “glassy-eyed”

• Slowed responses to questions

• Difficulty concentrating or remembering

• Not knowing the score, the ground or the opposition

Emotional signs

• Feeling irritable, anxious or unusually emotional

• Sadness or feeling “not quite right”

Sleep-related signs

• Drowsiness or trouble falling asleep

• Sleeping more or less than usual

Some signs are red flags that require

immediate emergency care: call 000.

These include loss of consciousness, repeated vomiting, a seizure, weakness or tingling in the arms or legs, increasing confusion, severe or worsening headache, or neck pain. When in doubt, treat it as an emergency.

What to do when a head knock happens

1. Remove the player from the game or training immediately. No player with a suspected concussion should return to play on the same day: no exceptions, at any level.

2. Do not leave them alone. Keep them under observation for the first few hours in case symptoms worsen.

3. Avoid alcohol, and don’t let them drive. Both can mask or worsen symptoms.

4. Arrange a professional assessment. A concussion diagnosis can only be made by a qualified health professional — a doctor or a physiotherapist experienced in concussion management.

5. Begin a structured, supervised recovery. Rest for the first 24–48 hours, then a gradual, guided return to learning, work and sport.

Why “when in doubt, sit them out” matters

The biggest danger isn’t the first concussion, it’s returning to play before the brain has recovered.

A second impact during this window can lead to a much more serious and prolonged injury. Following the current AIS and Australian Government concussion guidelines, all players are now advised to allow a minimum period of physical and cognitive rest before a staged return. For community athletes, that means a conservative approach is always the smart approach.

How the Melbourne Sports Concussion Clinic can help

Our team of sports physicians, sports doctors, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists and psychologists specialises in concussion diagnosis and recovery.

Led by Dr Zee Arain, a former AFL consultant concussion doctor, we use the ImPACT concussion framework alongside the latest Australian guidelines to provide an accurate, structured and safe pathway back to sport, school or work.

Whether you’re a worried parent, a club official or an athlete who copped a knock last weekend, we’re here to guide you every step of the way, from the moment the incident happens to the day you return confidently to play.

Had a head knock? Don’t guess, get assessed. Call The Melbourne Sports Concussion Clinic on 1300 361 053 or book online for an expert concussion assessment.