Attorney at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers
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Concussions are one of the most common injuries in youth sports. But just because they’re common doesn’t mean they should be taken lightly. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can affect memory, balance, vision, and mood—especially in young, developing brains. If your child is involved in sports, it’s essential to understand which sports carry the most significant risk and what to do if an injury occurs.
The sports with the highest concussion rates include boys’ tackle football, girls’ soccer, boys’ lacrosse, ice hockey, wrestling, and cheerleading. — CDC & sports safety studies
A concussion happens when a hit or jolt causes the brain to move inside the skull. For kids and teens, these injuries are more serious because their brains are still growing. Even if symptoms don’t show right away, the damage can still be real.
The CDC warns that repeated head impacts—not just diagnosed concussions—can lead to lasting problems like memory issues, mood swings, and conditions such as CTE.
Youth tackle football athletes had 15 times more head impacts and 23 times more high-magnitude hits per season versus flag football. — CDC Head Impact Comparison Study
Some sports carry a much higher risk of concussion than others. Contact and collision sports naturally lead the list. Football, rugby, and Soccer are often flagged as the highest-risk sports for youth athletes. But other activities, including cheerleading and wrestling, also see high rates of head injuries.
Sport | Approx. Concussions per 1,000 AE | Notes |
| Football (high school/youth) | ~5 per 1,000; ~11 per 10,000 AE | Most common source of youth concussion |
| Rugby (elite / union) | ~4.7–9.0 per 1,000 | High-contact, frequent in UK/Australia |
| Girls’ Soccer | ~1.4 per 1,000 | Second-highest among girls |
| Boys’ Lacrosse & Ice Hockey | ~1.6–2.3 per 1,000 | Contact sports with elevated risk |
| Cheerleading (stunts) | Not in AE metric; high injury rate | Nearly all concussions stunt-related |
The way a concussion occurs can vary depending on the sport. In football, it’s often the result of a direct hit to the head during a tackle. In Soccer, it can be from heading the ball or colliding with another player. In cheerleading, most head injuries happen during stunts or falls from height.
Studies show that younger children in tackle football face significantly more head impacts than those playing flag football. These impacts, even if not classified as concussions, can still cause harm over time.
Repeated head impacts—even without diagnosed concussion—are linked to CTE, a degenerative brain disease diagnosed post-mortem in many former athletes.
CTE and other long-term brain injuries are getting more attention in youth sports. Medical experts often advise against tackle football for kids under 14, as their brains are still developing. Many leagues now follow stricter return-to-play rules and invest in concussion education.
In Oklahoma, youth sports programs are encouraged to follow the CDC’s HEADS UP guidelines. This outlines when a child should be removed from play, evaluated, and cleared to return. If ignored, and a child is hurt, it may lead to a legal claim for negligence.
Children under age 14 should not play tackle football – their brains are still developing and more vulnerable.
If your child suffers a blow to the head during a game or practice, it’s essential to take the proper steps immediately. The child should be taken out of the game and evaluated by a trained adult, such as a coach or athletic trainer. After that, a licensed healthcare provider should examine the child for a complete evaluation.
Headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, blurry vision, and light sensitivity are all signs to watch for. The child might also feel foggy or just “not right.” Sleep issues, mood swings, and trouble concentrating can develop over the next few days. Every child heals differently, so recovery time varies.
A child should never return to play until all symptoms have cleared up and a licensed professional has given them the okay. Returning too early can lead to more serious injuries and a longer recovery.
While concussions can’t be prevented entirely, there are steps families and coaches can take to reduce risk. Limiting contact drills, encouraging the use of proper equipment, and supporting rule changes like no heading in youth soccer can make a difference. Many parents also opt for flag football instead of tackle leagues for younger kids.
Encouraging kids to play multiple sports instead of focusing on one year-round also helps lower the risk of overuse injuries and burnout. Teaching athletes the importance of speaking up when they feel “off” after a hit is a big step toward prevention, too.
When a school, coach, or sports program fails to follow safety procedures and a child is seriously injured, families may be left facing large medical bills and long-term care needs.
Graves McLain Injury Lawyers understands the toll that traumatic brain injuries can take. If your child was harmed due to negligence, our team can help explore your legal options. We’re experienced in severe injury cases in Tulsa and advocate for families impacted by preventable head trauma.
Yes, a concussion can happen from a sudden jolt or whiplash motion, even if the head wasn’t hit directly. These indirect forces still cause the brain to move inside the skull and may lead to injury.
Immediately remove them from play, alert the coach or trainer, and seek evaluation from a healthcare professional. They should not return until fully cleared by a licensed medical provider.
Yes. Compared to tackle football, flag football significantly reduces head impacts and concussion risk, making it a safer alternative for kids under age 14.
Repeated concussions or head impacts can increase the risk of long-term brain issues like CTE, which may cause memory, mood, and behavior problems later in life.
Use proper safety gear, limit contact drills, support rule changes, and teach children to report symptoms. Choosing lower-risk alternatives and playing multiple sports can also help.
Concussions in youth sports are more than just “getting your bell rung.” They’re real brain injuries that deserve serious attention. Football, Soccer, rugby, and other contact sports carry higher risks, especially for younger players. But with the proper precautions, education, and support, we can help young athletes play safely and stay healthy.
If your child suffered a traumatic brain injury during a sports activity and you believe proper protocols weren’t followed, Graves McLain Injury Lawyers can help. We’ve worked with families across Tulsa to seek justice in severe injury cases and understand how complex these situations can be.
When injury victims need a law firm with a reputation for excellence, turn to Graves McLain Injury Lawyers. We are a top-rated personal injury firm determined to be the best. With decades of award-winning representation, our clients recover the compensation they need to put their lives back together.
