What happens if I take a knock to the head?

Question

Accepted Answer

USA Rugby follows World Rugby Regulation 10 and the Recognize and Remove policy for community rugby. During the match: if you're concussed or might be, you must be removed immediately and permanently (Law 3.24). You can't return to that match, with no exceptions. The World Rugby Head Injury Assessment (HIA) process doesn't apply in USA Club Rugby domestic competitions, so you can't be assessed and sent back on. Before you play again: you must be evaluated by appropriate medical staff before returning to rugby in any form. Best practice is a physician trained in concussion management. Return to play: USA Club Rugby regulations require any player who is suspected of having or diagnosed with a concussion to complete World Rugby's Graduated Return to Play (GRTP) protocol. You must be fully recovered and symptom-free, and cleared in writing by a qualified healthcare professional trained in concussion. After you're cleared: teammates, coaches and medical staff should watch for lingering symptoms. If any come back, you must stop playing straight away.