A Parent’s Guide to Concussion Prevention: Keeping Your Teen Safe in Sports

Back-to-school time means it’s game time again. If your teen plays contact sports, you’re likely excited and maybe a bit nervous. Concussions can feel like a spoiler, but here’s the bright side: with a few smart, easy steps, you can lower the risk and make recovery smoother.

Let’s break it down:

Why Parents Should Pay Attention

Concussions in high school sports happen more often than many think. But being informed means you’re already ahead.

A large study found that concussions occur at a rate of about 3.89 per 10,000 athletic exposures (meaning practices or games), with football seeing the highest rate at 9.21, and girls’ soccer not far behind at 6.11 per 10,000. (nih.gov)

Another report showed that concussions account for about 9 percent of all injuries in high school sports, compared to 5.8 percent in college. That means teens are more likely to get them than older athletes. (nih.gov)

Why the difference? Teen brains are still growing. Even mild symptoms like headaches, foggy thinking, or mood shifts can feel bigger. Your awareness matters. Working together, you and your teen can navigate safety without sacrificing any of the fun.

What Parents and Teens Can Do

Here are practical, positive steps to protect your teen that feel more like teamwork than worry.

1. Check That Gear Fits Well

If your teen wears a helmet or other head protection, make sure it fits snugly and shows no signs of damage. While not foolproof, properly fitted gear can help absorb hits better.

2. Encourage Smart, Respectful Play

Just remind your teen to play clean: keep the head out of contact, listen to their body, and rest when they’re tired or not feeling right.

3. Let Them Know That Speaking Up Is Strong, Not Weak

Many teens downplay symptoms because they don’t want to miss a big moment. Encourage honesty by saying something like, “Telling me if your head doesn’t feel right shows guts.” The CDC reinforces that athletes who report symptoms sooner tend to recover faster. (cdc.gov)

4. Spot the Common Signs Together

Make it a family conversation so your teen knows what to watch for. Common symptoms include:

• • Headache or pressure in the head
  • Dizziness or balance problems
  • Trouble concentrating or remembering things
  • Blurred vision
  • Feeling more tired or emotional than usual

You can even make light of it: “If the scoreboard looks fuzzy or the game feels like it’s in slow motion, hit pause and tell me.” Small cues matter.

5. Act Right Away If Something Feels Off

If your teen shows any symptoms after a hit to the head, the safest move is to stop playing and get checked out, even if they seem fine in the moment. Research has shown that getting a second concussion before the first has fully healed can make symptoms much worse and significantly prolong recovery. Taking action right away helps protect your teen’s health now and keeps their future seasons on track.

6. Help Them Recover With a Plan That Works

Concussion recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. Studies show that high school athletes often report symptoms for about 15 days on average, compared to about 6 days in college athletes. (nih.gov)

What matters most is following a personalized return-to-play plan that balances both physical effort (like gradual exercise) and cognitive effort (like schoolwork, reading, or screen time). Experts recommend 24 to 48 hours of initial rest, then carefully adding back light activity under medical guidance.

The process usually includes:

• • Short periods of physical activity such as walking, then slowly increasing intensity.
  • Stepwise increases in cognitive tasks, from light studying to full schoolwork.
  • Regular check-ins with a healthcare provider to monitor symptoms and adjust.

Recovery that is guided and gradual helps teens heal more completely and reduces the risk of setbacks. Rushing back too quickly or staying inactive too long can both make things worse.

Keeping It All Positive

It’s natural to worry about your teen’s safety, but a proactive and relaxed attitude goes much further than fear. You don’t have to hover. Just keep talking, keep listening, and stay present.

Try phrases like:

• • “How’s your head feeling after practice?”
  • “You’re doing great. Remember, speaking up if something’s off is part of being smart.”
  • “Anyone on your team ever talk about concussion? It’s okay to ask.”

This shows you care without creating anxiety.

FAQs

Sports are an amazing outlet for teens: energy, teamwork, confidence, and joy. Concussions don’t have to steal any of that. You and your teen can handle it with smarts, clarity, and care. A little awareness, open conversation, and attention go a long way toward strong, safe, fun seasons ahead.

Our team of Physical and Occupational Therapists is here to help you prevent injury, stay active, and move pain-free all season long. If you’re looking for a more tailored approach, our Athletic Performance program is designed to get athletes of all levels back to peak performance.

Treatment is covered by insurance, no referral is required to start, and with flexible in-clinic and virtual appointments available, you can find a time that works with your schedule.

Call 716-458-1990 or use this button to schedule online: