It happens fast. A collision under the pack, a fall on hard ground, a stray elbow in a marking contest — and suddenly a young athlete is on the ground and everyone on the sideline is looking to the coach or parent for what to do next. Recognising a possible concussion in that moment is one of the most important skills a sideline can have, yet it is often the most overlooked.
Across the Mornington Peninsula, junior sport is a huge part of community life, from footy and netball ovals in McCrae and Dromana to soccer, basketball and cricket clubs in Rosebud and Rye. This guide is designed to help parents, coaches and team volunteers know what signs to look for on the sideline, and what steps to take afterwards to support a safe recovery.
What a Concussion Actually Is
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a knock to the head, or a forceful blow elsewhere on the body that transmits an impact through to the brain. It does not require loss of consciousness to be serious, and in fact most concussions in junior sport happen without the player ever “blacking out”. This is one of the biggest misconceptions on the sideline — a player who stays on their feet and keeps talking can still be concussed.
Concussion affects how the brain functions rather than its physical structure, which is why it typically will not show up on a standard scan. That makes sideline recognition, and appropriate follow-up assessment, genuinely important rather than optional.
Signs to Watch for on the Sideline
Concussion signs can be physical, cognitive, or emotional, and they do not always appear immediately. Some signs are obvious within seconds; others take hours to surface. As a coach or parent watching from the sideline, look out for:
- Any loss of consciousness, even briefly
- Balance problems, unsteadiness or clumsy movement getting up
- A dazed, blank or vacant look
- Confusion about the game, the score, or what just happened
- Slow to answer questions or slurred speech
- Headache, dizziness, nausea or sensitivity to light and noise
- Unusual emotional responses, such as sudden irritability or tearfulness
- Grabbing or clutching the head after impact
If you see any of these signs, the safe approach is always the same: remove the player from play. There is no reliable way to “test” a player back onto the field on the sideline within minutes of an impact — recognised frameworks such as those used by the AFL and Complete Concussions (CCMI) are clear that “if in doubt, sit them out”.
Why Sideline Judgement Alone Isn’t Enough
Even experienced coaches and trainers can find concussion difficult to judge in the moment, because symptoms can be subtle and players — especially older kids keen to stay on the field — may downplay how they feel. This is why sideline recognition should be treated as the first step, not the final word. A player who has shown any possible signs benefits from a proper follow-up assessment away from the noise and adrenaline of the game.
Our osteopaths at The Seaside Osteo in McCrae are trained through Complete Concussions (CCMI), and use recognised assessment tools to help build a clearer picture of how a young athlete is tracking after a head knock. This kind of concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula is intended to support informed decisions around recovery and gradual return to activity — it is not a guarantee that a player is free of injury or “cleared” in a single visit.
What to Do Immediately After a Suspected Concussion
If a player shows any signs of concussion during a game or training session, the immediate steps matter:
- Stop them from returning to play that day, regardless of how well they seem to recover within minutes
- Do not leave them alone — monitor for worsening symptoms such as increasing headache, repeated vomiting, or drowsiness
- Seek urgent medical attention if there are red flags like loss of consciousness, seizure, worsening confusion, or unequal pupil size
- Arrange a follow-up assessment in the days after the injury, once the initial shock has settled
- Avoid alcohol, screens, and strenuous activity in the first 24 to 48 hours
A structured, gradual return-to-sport and return-to-learn process — rather than jumping straight back into full training — is a central part of recognised concussion guidelines, and something our clinicians can help families work through.
Building Sideline Confidence Across Local Clubs
Because so much of junior sport relies on volunteer coaches and parents rather than dedicated medical staff, building sideline awareness across Mornington Peninsula clubs makes a real difference. Understanding the basics of recognition — and having a clear plan for what happens next — helps take pressure off individual coaches having to make split-second medical calls.
We run a free concussion workshop for local clubs, schools and parent groups who want a practical, evidence-based introduction to recognising and responding to concussion. It is a useful way for a club to get everyone, from senior coaches to team managers, working from the same understanding.
Supporting Recovery Beyond the Sideline
Concussion recovery is not just about the head — many young athletes also experience neck stiffness, dizziness or balance issues that can benefit from broader assessment. Our clinic looks at concussion within the context of the wider range of conditions we treat, so families in McCrae, Dromana, Rosebud and Rye have somewhere local to turn to for both the initial assessment and ongoing support through recovery.
If your child, player or team member has had a possible head knock, the safe first step is always the same: sit them out, keep them safe, and arrange a proper assessment. Learn more about our approach to concussion assessment and management and how it fits into a gradual, well-supported return to sport.
Frequently asked questions
Does a player need to lose consciousness to have a concussion?
No. Most concussions in junior sport happen without any loss of consciousness. A player who stays on their feet and keeps talking can still be concussed, which is why other signs like confusion, balance issues or headache matter just as much.
Can a coach clear a player to return to the game on the sideline?
No sideline test can safely clear a player to return on the same day once concussion is suspected. Recognised guidelines recommend removing the player from play and arranging a proper follow-up assessment rather than making that call in the moment.
How soon after a head knock should a player be assessed?
It is generally recommended to arrange an assessment in the days following a suspected concussion, once initial symptoms have been monitored. Our osteopaths use tools based on Complete Concussions (CCMI) frameworks to help build a clearer picture of recovery.
What if symptoms don’t appear until after the game?
This is common. Concussion symptoms can take hours, or occasionally longer, to fully appear, so players and parents should keep monitoring for headache, dizziness, mood changes or difficulty concentrating even after leaving the field.
Do you offer concussion education for local sporting clubs?
Yes, we run a free concussion workshop for clubs, schools and parent groups on the Mornington Peninsula who want practical guidance on recognising and responding to concussion within their team.
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.