What should I do if a player might be concussed?

The ECB Recreational Cricket Concussion Guidelines (adapted from the UK Concussion Guidelines for Non-Elite Sport) say: If in doubt, sit them out.

Suspected concussion

• Remove the player from play immediately. They do not need to have been knocked out; loss of consciousness happens in fewer than 10% of concussions, and symptoms can take 24 to 48 hours to appear.
• They should be assessed by a healthcare professional (or by calling 111) within 24 hours.
• No cricket activity (training or matches) within 24 hours.
• Red flags such as loss of consciousness, deteriorating consciousness, repeated vomiting, a seizure, severe or increasing headache or severe neck pain mean immediate assessment at hospital A&E.

Confirmed concussion

• A graduated return to cricket activity.
• No competitive cricket for at least 21 days, and only once the player has been symptom-free for at least 14 days.
• If symptoms last longer than 28 days, seek further medical attention.

Children may be more susceptible to concussion and can take longer to recover. The ECB recommends that coaches complete its concussion e-learning course (concussionlearning.ecb.co.uk).