What do I do if I think a player has a concussion?

USA Rugby follows World Rugby's Recognize and Remove policy for community rugby. Law 3.24 of the 2026 Laws says the same: a player who is concussed or has a suspected concussion must be immediately and permanently removed from the match.

1. Remove: if a player shows concussion symptoms before, during or after a match, take them out of play right away. They must not return during that match. There are no exceptions.
2. Refer: the player must be evaluated by appropriate medical staff before playing rugby again in any form. Best practice is a physician trained in concussion evaluation and management.
3. Recover and return: if a concussion is diagnosed, a youth or high school player must rest for at least 14 full days and be symptom-free. Then they complete a 5-day Graduated Return to Play protocol, and they need written clearance from a qualified healthcare professional before any return to contact.