Player safety
PlayerSafety
When in doubt, sit them out.
Football Friends Club follows the CDC HEADS UP guidance for youth sports and California's youth sports concussion law.
The following is quoted directly from the CDC's Signs and Symptoms of Concussion page (updated September 15, 2025).
Signs to watch for
Ages 3 to 4
Infants, toddlers, and pre-school aged childrenBirth to age 4
- Irritability and crying more than usual
- Seeking more comfort than usual, like needing to be held
- Refusing to nurse or eat
- Changes in sleeping patterns, like sleeping more or less than usual
- Not wanting to engage in play or usual activities
- Needing more help than usual
- Showing behavior changes, such as more temper tantrums, sadness, or irritability than usual
- Changes in speech, like speaking more slowly than usual
- Vomiting right after the injury without other causes, such as a virus
- Appearing dazed, confused, and more clumsy than usual or seeming unsteady on their feet
Signs to watch for
Ages 5 to 8
School-aged children and adolescentsAges 5 to 17
- Appearing dazed, stunned, or confused about recent events
- Sudden difficulty remembering or concentrating, especially on topics or activities that would otherwise hold their attention
- Answering questions more slowly than usual
- Appearing more clumsy than usual, seeming unsteady on their feet
- Vomiting right after the injury without other causes, such as a virus
- Suddenly slowed reaction times
- Mood, behavior, or personality changes
Quoted from CDC, Signs and Symptoms of Concussion, updated September 15, 2025. Signs can take hours or days to appear.
Emergency guidance from the CDC
911
Concussion danger signs
“Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department if you notice any of the following danger signs following a bump, blow, or jolt to the head.”
Quoted directly from the CDC's Concussion danger signs guidance (updated September 15, 2025). This section and the list beside it are the CDC's words, not ours.
- Convulsions or seizures (shaking or twitching)
- Not able to recognize people or places
- Repeated nausea or vomiting
- Unusual behavior, increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation
- Loss of consciousness with increasing drowsiness, inability to wake up, or inability to stay awake
- Slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination
- A headache that gets worse and does not go away
- One pupil larger than the other or double vision
Concussion danger signs in infants and toddlers also include
- Will not stop crying and cannot be consoled.
- Will not nurse or eat.
Quoted from CDC, Signs and Symptoms of Concussion
California law
If a concussion is suspected
Football Friends Club follows California's youth sports concussion law. The text below is quoted directly from California Health and Safety Code section 124235.
“An athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or other head injury, or who has passed out or fainted, in an athletic activity shall be immediately removed from the athletic activity for the remainder of the day, and shall not be permitted to return to any athletic activity until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed healthcare provider. The athlete shall not be permitted to return to athletic activity until the athlete receives written clearance to return to athletic activity from a licensed healthcare provider. If the licensed healthcare provider determines that the athlete sustained a concussion or other head injury, the athlete shall also complete a graduated return-to-play protocol of no less than seven days in duration under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider.”
“If an athlete who is 17 years of age or younger has been removed from athletic activity due to a suspected concussion or due to fainting or another suspected cardiac condition, the youth sports organization shall notify a parent or guardian of that athlete of the time and date of the injury, the symptoms observed, and any treatment provided to that athlete for the injury.”
Source: California Legislative Information, Health and Safety Code section 124235
Sudden cardiac arrest
Warning signs
California's youth sports law also covers fainting and sudden cardiac arrest. The warning signs below are quoted directly from the California Department of Education's Sudden Cardiac Arrest Warning Signs and Symptoms Information form (updated April 2020).
Possible Warning Signs and Risk Factors
- Fainting or seizure, especially during or right after exercise
- Fainting repeatedly or with excitement or startle
- Excessive shortness of breath during exercise
- Racing or fluttering heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
- Repeated dizziness or lightheadedness
- Chest pain or discomfort with exercise
- Excessive, unexpected fatigue during or after exercise
Removal from Activity
“A pupil who faints during or following participation in an athletic activity must be removed from play and may not return to play until they are evaluated and cleared by a physician and surgeon, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant.”
Source: California Department of Education. More information: Eric Paredes Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act
Training and information
What we do
Our coaches have completed the CDC's free HEADS UP concussion training.
Each year, families receive concussion and sudden cardiac arrest information when they register, and sign to confirm they've read it.
Form
Return to play
If your child was removed from a session for a suspected concussion, download and print this form. Bring it to us completed, with written medical clearance attached, before your child rejoins.