Head injury return
If in doubt, sit them out.
A “Possible head injury” button sits on every match and training log and on the home screen. Press it and the app locks training and walks you through the UK grassroots graduated return, one day at a time. It’s free for everyone and can’t be switched off.
What happens when you press it
- Everything locks. No training, matches or exercise for at least 24 hours.
- Clear guidance on screen. Get assessed within 24 hours by NHS 111 or a healthcare professional. For 24 hours, don’t drive, cycle, drink alcohol or stay alone UK grassroots concussion guidelines 2024.
- Red flags go straight to 999. Loss of consciousness, getting more drowsy, worsening headache, repeated vomiting, a seizure, new weakness or double vision and more, as a full-screen alert.
- A day-by-day return. Six stages from the day of injury, with a daily symptom check.
The six stages
The FA’s concussion guidelines point grassroots clubs without a healthcare professional to the UK grassroots guidance and its Graduated Return to Activity and Sport (GRAS) The FA Concussion Guidelines 2023 UK grassroots concussion guidelines 2024. The day of injury is day 0.
| Stage | What it involves | Earliest |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Relative rest | Rest, minimal screens, gentle daily activity | First 24–48 hours |
| 2. Daily and light activity | Normal daily activities, short walks | When symptoms allow |
| 3. Light aerobic exercise | Easy jogging, swimming or cycling, more mental activity | When symptoms allow |
| 4. Non-contact training | Part-time work or study, training with no contact and no heading. Only with no symptoms at rest | When symptom-free at rest |
| 5. Full training | Full work or study, full training including contact and heading | Day 15, after 14 days with no symptoms at rest |
| 6. Matches | Return to competition | Day 21 |
Each stage lasts at least a day. Move up only if symptoms get no more than mildly worse; otherwise drop back a stage. Worse, or not better by day 14: call NHS 111. Still there after 28 days: see a GP. Two or more concussions in 12 months prompts a doctor review before stage 5.
Any loss of consciousness, getting more drowsy, memory loss, increasing confusion or irritability, new problems with speech, balance, weakness or double vision, a seizure, a severe or worsening headache, repeated vomiting, severe neck pain, or a possible skull fracture.
Match Ready: Football isn’t affiliated with The FA. The timeline comes from published guidance: read The FA Concussion Guidelines and the UK grassroots concussion guidelines. Full explanation in our concussion return-to-play guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does the app diagnose concussion?
No. It can’t and doesn’t try. If you think you might have a head injury, press the button and follow the guidance: no training, matches or exercise for at least 24 hours, and get assessed within 24 hours by NHS 111 or a healthcare professional. For warning signs, call 999.
Will it tell me when I can play again?
Never. It schedules each stage, checks your symptoms daily and won’t let you skip or bring a stage forward. When day 21 arrives it tells you the earliest match date has been reached, and to follow your club’s and healthcare professional’s advice.
Is the head injury feature free?
Yes. Head injury reporting and the return steps are free for everyone, with or without a subscription, and the feature can’t be turned off.
What about under-18s?
The same stages and minimum times apply. Under-18s must be fully back at school or college before full training. A linked parent is alerted straight away when a possible head injury is reported.
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