Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports

To help ensure the health and safety of young athletes, CDC developed the HEADS UP Concussion in Youth Sports initiative to offer information about concussions to coaches, parents, and athletes involved in youth sports. The HEADS UP initiative provides important information on preventing, recognizing, and responding to a concussion.

Download free concussion information for:

  • Coaches
    Free concussion training course, facts sheets, posters and more for youth sports coaches.
  • Parents
    Concussion resources for parents of youth athletes. (Also available in Spanish)
  • Sports Officials
    Information to help youth sports officials protect athletes from concussion or other serious brain injury, how to spot a concussion, and what to do if a concussion occurs.
  • Young Athletes
    Concussion resources for youth athletes

Free Concussion Training Course

CDC offers a free, online course available to coaches, parents, and others helping to keep athletes safe from concussion. This course will help you:

  • Understand a concussion and the potential consequences of this injury,
  • Recognize concussion signs and symptoms and how to respond,
  • Learn about steps for returning to activity (play and school) after a concussion, and
  • Focus on prevention and preparedness to help keep athletes safe season-to-season.

Your actions can help create a safe environment for young athletes so that they can stay healthy, active, and thrive - both on and off the playing field. Once you complete the training and quiz, you can print out a certificate, making it easy to show your league or school you are ready for the season.

Posted on BrainLine January 1, 2017.

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. www.cdc.gov.

Comments (2)

Please remember, we are not able to give medical or legal advice. If you have medical concerns, please consult your doctor. All posted comments are the views and opinions of the poster only.

Several states have passed youth sports concussion safety laws, which are supposed to remove athletes from play when they show symptoms of concussions. Pennsylvania is one of the states that most recently passed such a law: http://www.edgarsnyder.com/injury/brain/safety-in-youth-sports-act.html
Great article!