Helpful Guides & Tools
THE MANAGEMENT OF SPORT RELATED CONCUSSION IN AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL
Explore the detailed guidelines on managing sport related concussion in Australian Football with a special supplement for the management of concussion in children and adolescents.
The March 2024 version of the Guidelines is the current applicable version for managing sport related concussion in Australian Football.
Concussion tools for everyone
To help you check for signs and symptoms of suspected concussion, download the Headcheck app for on-the-spot support, or keep a copy of the Concussion Recognition Tool (CRT 6) handy.
Concussion tools for healthcare professionals
Medical doctors can use the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT6) and Child Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (CHILD SCAT6) on the day of a suspected concussion. During a check-up in the days after the impact, doctors can use the Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool (SCOAT 6 or CHILD SCOAT 6).
The SCAT and SCOAT forms are for use by medical doctors only.
FAQs
A concussion can happen when you get a head knock, a bump or an impact to the body that sends force to the head. Basically, it’s a short-term change in how the brain works.
We know concussions sometimes happen in footy. But did you know they're common off the field too? More than a quarter of Australian children have had a knock, blow or injury to the head, with one in eight having a diagnosed concussion. These can happen in a variety of ways, like falls in the playground, falling off a bike and collisions from sport.
It's not about diagnosing a concussion on the spot; it's about recognising that something might be wrong. Learn how to spot a suspected concussion and call it out.
First we look for red flags, then we look for signs of concussion (things you can see in a player) and symptoms (things you can ask a player about).
There are 3 key steps to responding after you’ve seen an impact on the field – Recognise, Remove, Refer.
Whether you're a player, coach, parent or spectator, your voice matters. You don't need a whistle or a medical degree to speak up about concussion. If you see something that worries you, say something.
After a concussion, players need to take it easy to start, then gradually get more active. Even when symptoms have settled, brains are still recovering. Follow the three stages of recovery and they’ll be back on the ground before you know it.
Bouncing back from a concussion isn't a sprint – it's more of a slow jog. It’s also different for everyone, because everyone recovers at their own pace. Let's break down the recovery timeline and what you need to know to get back in the game safely.
This educational material is based on the Australian Football League’s guidelines for ‘The Management of Sport-Related Concussion in Australian Football’ and research previously conducted by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI). It is general in nature and not intended to be clinical advice or a substitute for professional treatment and should not be relied upon as such. You should seek advice from a qualified professional, as Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Matterworks Pty Ltd and the Australian Football League, and their current and former officers, employees and contractors do not take any responsibility from reliance on this material.