Concussion guidance

Concussion guidance (published April 2023)

New grass-roots sport guidance was published by the UK government in April 2023.

Download the full guidance document here:

UK Concussion Guidelines for Non-Elite (Grassroots) Sport, April 2023 (PDF)

Please also refer to the ECB's Concussion Education E-learning Module.

Key takeaways (as summarised by the England & Wales Cricket Board):

• The new guidance sets out to ensure everyone is aware of how to recognise a concussion and what to do if they suspect someone is concussed. 

• "If in doubt, sit them out"

• Anyone with a suspected concussion should be immediately removed from the field of play.

• They should get assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional onsite or access the NHS by calling 111 within 24 hours of the injury.

• Concussion recovery time varies and everyone is unique in their recovery duration.

• Generally, a short period of relative rest followed by a gradual return to normal life and, ultimately, sport is the aim.

• Follow these steps to reduce the risks.

• Continuing to play following a concussion is dangerous and leads to a longer recovery period. 

• The primary aim is to protect the individual from further injury by immediately removing them from play.