When in doubt, sit out
90% of concussions resolve within 4 weeks
New: student story from Lincoln High
Helmets reduce impact, not concussion risk
Speak up — symptoms are not toughness
When in doubt, sit out
90% of concussions resolve within 4 weeks
New: student story from Lincoln High
Helmets reduce impact, not concussion risk
Speak up — symptoms are not toughness
Prevention

Reduce risk. Stay safe.

Prevention isn’t only about what happens during games and practices — it’s training, recovery, decision-making, and the team culture you build around it.

The argument

For competitive athletes, concussion risk is shaped as much by habits off the field as by what happens on it. Conditioning, sleep, hydration, communication, and a culture that treats symptoms as health information — not weakness — are the most reliable defenses we have.

By sport

Pick your sport

The number
10.4
concussions per 10,000 athlete-exposures
High school athletes, NCAA injury surveillance pooled estimates
Most common mechanism

Helmet-to-helmet and helmet-to-ground contact during tackles.

What actually helps

Prevention for Football

  • Tackle technique — keep the head up, lead with the shoulder
  • Limit full-contact practices to once per week in-season
  • Replace helmets every 10 years or sooner; check fit weekly
  • Cervical (neck) strength training twice a week
General prevention

The four pillars

Training

Healthy preparation & training

  • Prioritize strength, balance, and neck stability as part of conditioning.
  • Get enough sleep and recovery time to support reaction time and awareness.
  • Stay hydrated and fuel properly to reduce fatigue-related mistakes and unsafe movements.
Participation

Safe participation choices

  • Speak up when something feels off after a hit or hard fall.
  • Do not return to play while dizzy, confused, or “not feeling right.”
  • Treat symptoms as a health issue, not a measure of toughness.
Culture

Team & competitive environment

  • Support a culture where reporting symptoms is encouraged and respected.
  • Follow team and league safety rules, especially around contact and practice structure.
  • Make sure equipment is properly fitted and regularly checked for safety.
Response

If a concussion is suspected

  • Remove the athlete from play when a concussion is suspected.
  • Get evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.
  • Return to school and sport gradually and with guidance.
The bottom line

No athlete can prevent every concussion, but honest reporting, a strong safety culture, and informed decision-making significantly reduce risk and protect long-term health.

Sport guides

Six sports, six playbooks

Sport guide

Soccer

Concussions in soccer often happen during aerial challenges, accidental head-to-head contact, collisions while jumping, or falls to the ground.

Ways to reduce risk

  • Practice safe challenge techniques when contesting headers.

  • Avoid leading with elbows or jumping into opponents.

  • Strengthen neck and core muscles to support body control in the air.

  • Encourage players to stop and report symptoms after any impact.

Note

Headgear can help reduce some soft-tissue injuries, but it does not prevent concussions. Safe decisions and early reporting are still the most important factors.

Sport guide

Basketball

In basketball, concussions usually occur during rebounds, loose-ball scrambles, falls, and accidental contact with shoulders or elbows.

Ways to reduce risk

  • Use body control when contesting rebounds or driving into the lane.

  • Call for the ball and communicate to avoid player collisions.

  • Maintain good shoe traction and a clean court to reduce falls.

  • Follow rules that discourage reckless contact or under-cutting.

  • Report symptoms instead of trying to play through them.

Sport guide

Volleyball

Concussions in volleyball are most often related to collisions between teammates, dives and falls, or contact with the court surface or equipment.

Ways to reduce risk

  • Use clear court communication such as “mine” and “yours” to prevent collisions.

  • Practice safe diving, rolling, and recovery techniques.

  • Stay aware of poles, padding, and boundary areas.

  • Pause play and report symptoms after a hard fall or ball-to-head impact.

Sport guide

Football

Football concussions may occur during tackling, blocking, and high-speed contact. Prevention focuses on safe technique, proper equipment fit, and practice structures that limit unnecessary contact.

Ways to reduce risk

  • Emphasize heads-up tackling and blocking. Players should never initiate contact with the helmet.

  • Ensure helmets are properly fitted and maintained. Helmets cannot prevent all concussions.

  • Follow team and league limits on full-contact practice time.

  • Build neck and core stability to support safer positioning during contact.

  • Remove players from participation immediately if a concussion is suspected.

Sport guide

Baseball / Softball

Concussions in baseball and softball can happen from collisions, falls, or impact with a ball or bat. Situational awareness and safe communication are key.

Ways to reduce risk

  • Call for fly balls clearly to prevent outfield collisions.

  • Use proper sliding technique and avoid blocking bases in unsafe ways.

  • Always wear required helmets during batting and base running.

  • Maintain awareness near dugouts, fences, and backstops.

  • Report symptoms immediately after any head or body impact.

Sport guide

Track & Field

Concussions in track and field are less common, but they can occur during falls, pole vault or hurdle accidents, throwing-event areas, or collisions during relays.

Ways to reduce risk

  • Follow safe spacing and traffic flow during warm-ups and workouts.

  • Use proper landing and safety equipment for jumps and vaults.

  • Encourage athletes to report dizziness, confusion, or head impact after a fall.

Know the signs

Early detection is key.

Knowing what to look for is the difference between a quick recovery and a longer one.

Detection guide