What are the signs of a concussion in kids?
Guideline- USA
- USA Football
- Youth tackle
- 12U
- 12 and under
- 2026 guidelines
- Parents
- Team parents
From the CDC's HEADS UP guidance for children aged 5 to 17:
What you might see
- Looking dazed or confused
- Sudden trouble remembering or concentrating
- Slower answers and reaction times
- Clumsiness
- Vomiting soon after the injury
- Changes in mood, behavior or personality
What your child might tell you
- Headache, dizziness or balance problems, nausea, vision problems, sensitivity to light or noise, tiredness
- Feeling foggy, groggy or slowed down; trouble thinking clearly or remembering
- Feeling anxious, irritable, sad or more emotional than usual
- Sleeping more or less than usual, or trouble falling asleep
Symptoms can take hours or days to appear and are usually worst 1 to 2 days after the injury, so keep watching after the game.
Added 21 Oct 2026