Highbar Physical therapy & Health blog

Picture the 78th minute of a nail-biter. One of our towering defenders jumps for a corner and bumps heads with an opponent, then drops to one knee. The referee signals head injury and both medical teams rush onto the pitch. Moments like that are why I’m writing today.

In this post, you’ll learn:

• What a concussion is
• Why soccer players face extra risk
• How we safeguard RIFC athletes
• And the small—but powerful—ways you can help from the stands

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that occurs when a hit—whether to the head, neck, or even the body—causes the brain to jolt inside the skull. That jolt sets off a chemical chain reaction, can stretch or irritate nerve fibers, and briefly affects blood flow and causes swelling.

Symptoms might appear immediately or take minutes—or even hours—to show up. Most people recover in a few days, but for others, symptoms may linger longer.

Soccer ranks high among field sports for head trauma. That, combined with growing awareness of long-term brain health risks, has led to new safety rules. Starting with the 2024–25 season, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) introduced a permanent additional concussion substitute into the Laws of the Game. Any player suspected of a concussion can be swapped out—even if the team has used all its regular subs.

One extra sub today is worth decades of healthy cognition tomorrow.

How Do Concussions Happen?

While classic head-to-head or elbow-to-head collisions in aerial duels remain the most obvious causes, there are many others:

• Point-blank ball rockets
• Hard landings after shoulder battles
• Keeper-striker collisions
• Whiplash from unseen contact

Add late-game fatigue, slick turf, or mistimed jumps, and the risk climbs. Recognizing these “danger plays” allows our medical team to respond fast and effectively.

How Our Medical Team Responds

When a collision occurs, the sideline medical choreography kicks in. You might see Langston, our Athletic Trainer, kneeling beside a player, asking rapid-fire questions—“Which half? What’s the score?”—while scanning for signs like a glassy stare or unsteady gait.

Meanwhile, the athlete may report symptoms such as:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light or sound

Loss of consciousness happens in fewer than 10% of concussions, so looking “fine” doesn’t rule it out.

If there’s any doubt, we use the new substitution rule and remove the player for the rest of the match.

Our protocol is streamlined yet strict. The AT and team physician quickly rule out neck injuries and run a SCAT6 sideline brain check. If the player is pulled, they’re taken to a quiet space under the stands for a more detailed exam. We then meet with the athlete (and family, if needed) to discuss next steps.

The Road to Recovery

Recovery follows a six-step return-to-play ladder endorsed by the CDC and Concussion-in-Sport Group. Athletes must be symptom-free at rest before progressing:

Light cardio → Sport-specific drills (non-contact) → Full-speed non-contact → Unrestricted training → Match clearance

(Each step is spaced by at least 24 hours.)

Throughout the process, we use:

• Vision-tracking drills
• Dual-task balance training
• Reaction-light testing

All designed to ensure the brain-body connection is fully restored.

Straightforward cases often resolve in 7–14 days, but biology sets the pace—not the calendar. Seeking early medical care helps ensure the brain heals properly. If symptoms linger, physical therapy can help speed recovery.

Protecting Brain Health for the Long Run

Repeated concussions increase the risk of chronic symptoms, mood changes, and—in rare cases—long-term degenerative conditions like CTE. That’s why U.S. Soccer banned heading for players under 10 and limits it to 30 headers per week in practice for ages 11–13.

Protecting young brains today preserves futures both on and off the pitch.

Need Help Navigating a Concussion?

If you or your athlete has experienced a head injury, we’re here to help. Schedule a free screen with our team at Highbar to learn more about concussion recovery and build a safe, personalized plan forward.

We Need You!

You, the supporters, have more influence than you might think:

• Cheer when a player is subbed for evaluation—it shows that health comes before heroics.
• Respect recovery silence—brains don’t heal on a countdown.
• Share the CDC’s HEADS UP resources if you coach youth soccer.
• Stay informed and keep the conversation going.

The more we normalize smart protocols, the harder it becomes for athletes to feel pressured into “toughing it out.”

Concussions are invisible, but the stakes couldn’t be clearer. One extra substitution, two minutes of patience, and a culture that values safety over highlight reels—that’s how we protect our athletes.

At Highbar Physical Therapy and RIFC, we’re committed to evidence-based, player-first care. Your understanding and support help us deliver it.

Raise those scarves. Share this post. And remember: protecting our players’ brains keeps soccer safe—and exciting—for everyone.

Disclaimer: This article offers general information and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice.