Every weekend across the Mornington Peninsula, junior sports players lace up for football, netball, basketball, cricket and other community games. Most days end with nothing more than muddy boots and a good story. But head knocks do happen, and when they do, the difference between a calm, well-managed response and a confused scramble often comes down to one thing: whether the club has a plan.
A concussion emergency action plan is a simple, written protocol that tells coaches, trainers and volunteers exactly what to do in the first minutes after a suspected head injury. It is not about diagnosing anything on the sideline. It is about knowing the steps, so that no young athlete is sent back onto the field before they have been properly assessed.
What Is a Concussion Emergency Action Plan?
An emergency action plan (EAP) is a short, agreed set of steps that a club follows whenever a player takes a knock to the head or body that could affect the brain. It typically covers who is responsible for recognising a possible concussion, how to remove the player from play safely, who contacts parents or guardians, and what happens next in terms of medical follow-up. Frameworks such as those used in AFL concussion guidelines and the Complete Concussions (CCMI) approach are built around this same principle: clear roles, clear steps, no guesswork.
Without a plan, decisions get made under pressure, often by well-meaning volunteers who are not sure what “concussion” actually looks like on the field. That uncertainty is exactly what an EAP is designed to remove.
Why Recognition Matters More Than People Think
Concussion does not always look dramatic. A player does not need to be knocked unconscious to have a concussion, and many signs are subtle or delayed by hours. This is part of why an EAP needs to include a basic recognition checklist that any coach or trainer can use, not just those with medical training.
- Appearing dazed, blank or slow to get up
- Balance problems or unsteady movement
- Confusion about the game, score or opponent
- Headache, nausea or sensitivity to light and noise
- Behaviour that seems “off” for that player
- Any loss of consciousness, even briefly
If any of these signs are present, the golden rule is simple: if in doubt, sit them out. The player should be removed from play immediately and not returned to the field that day, regardless of how much they insist they are fine.
The Role of Coaches, Trainers and Parents
A good EAP spells out who does what. Coaches are usually best placed to notice a change in a player’s behaviour or coordination during the game. Trainers or first aid officers are responsible for the initial removal from play and monitoring. Parents need to be informed promptly and given clear guidance on what to watch for over the following 24 to 48 hours, and when to seek urgent medical care.
Clubs across Dromana, Rosebud, Rye and the wider Mornington Peninsula often run on volunteer goodwill, which is exactly why a written plan matters. It takes the pressure off any one person to make a difficult call alone and gives everyone a shared reference point.
Why “Wait and See” Is Not a Strategy
It can be tempting, especially in a close final or an important match, to let a player “shake it off” and keep going. This approach carries real risk. Continuing to play with an undiagnosed concussion can prolong recovery and, in rare cases, contribute to more serious complications if a second impact occurs before the brain has recovered. An EAP takes the emotion out of the decision by making removal from play the automatic first step whenever concussion is suspected, not an option to be debated on the boundary line.
Following a suspected concussion, a timely assessment can help support informed decisions about recovery and a gradual, staged return to sport. This is where concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula plays a supporting role, helping families and clubs understand where a young athlete is at in their recovery rather than guessing.
Building a Plan That Actually Gets Used
An EAP is only useful if people know it exists and can find it quickly. Clubs benefit from keeping the plan short, visible and practised, rather than a long document buried in a folder. Useful elements include:
- A one-page recognition and response checklist kept in the first aid kit
- Clear contact details for who to call, including parents and emergency services if needed
- A simple record-keeping process for any suspected head injury
- An agreed rule that any player with suspected concussion does not return to play that day
- A pathway for follow-up assessment before returning to training
Reviewing this plan each pre-season, alongside general first aid training, helps keep it front of mind for new coaches and volunteers.
Supporting Your Club
Building club-wide confidence around concussion recognition does not have to be complicated. Education sessions for coaches, trainers and parents can make a genuine difference to how quickly and calmly a suspected head injury is handled. Our free concussion workshop is designed for local clubs wanting practical, evidence-based guidance that fits alongside existing first aid procedures.
For families wanting to understand more about assessment options after a head knock, our page on concussion assessment and testing outlines what is involved, while our conditions we treat page gives a broader picture of how osteopathy can support recovery across a range of injuries common in junior and community sport.
A concussion emergency action plan will not prevent every head knock from happening on a Saturday morning at grounds around McCrae, Dromana, Rosebud or Rye. What it can do is make sure that when one does happen, the response is calm, consistent and puts the young athlete’s wellbeing first.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is a concussion emergency action plan?
It is a short, written protocol that tells coaches, trainers and club volunteers what steps to take when a player is suspected of having a concussion. It covers recognition, safe removal from play, communication with parents, and next steps for assessment.
Does a player need to lose consciousness to have a concussion?
No. Most concussions do not involve any loss of consciousness. Signs can include confusion, balance problems, headache, sensitivity to light, or simply seeming ‘not quite right’, and these can sometimes take hours to appear.
Can a player return to the game if they seem okay after a head knock?
The safe approach recommended in frameworks like the AFL concussion guidelines is to remove any player with a suspected concussion from play for the remainder of that day, even if symptoms seem to settle quickly. A proper assessment can then help guide next steps.
Who should be responsible for the club’s concussion plan?
Ideally a designated first aid officer or senior coach oversees the plan, but every coach, trainer and volunteer should know the basic recognition signs and the rule that any suspected concussion means immediate removal from play.
How can our club get help setting up a concussion action plan?
Local clubs can access practical, evidence-based education through options like a free concussion workshop, which covers recognition, response and general return-to-play principles suited to community sport.
Concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula
To learn more or arrange concussion testing, assessment or return-to-play support, visit our concussion testing page or book an appointment online with The Seaside Osteo in McCrae.
This article is general information for Mornington Peninsula families and is not a substitute for individual medical assessment. If you suspect a concussion, seek advice from a qualified health practitioner, and call 000 if there are emergency warning signs.