Stop play and get urgent help when
- The child collapses, is confused, loses consciousness, has a seizure, has severe breathing difficulty or may be in immediate danger.
- Stop play, make the area safe, supervise the child, activate the venue’s emergency plan and seek urgent local medical help. Move them only if remaining there creates immediate danger or trained emergency guidance tells you to do so.
Stop and check
Pause play when pain changes normal movement, symptoms are worsening, or the child appears unusually unwell, confused, faint or unable to continue normally.
Do not tell a child to push through so they can finish a lesson or match. Stop the session, supervise them, make the area safe and follow the venue’s emergency or first-aid process. Move them only if they can do so safely or trained emergency guidance tells you to do so.
In hot conditions, act early
Plan water, shade, light clothing and cooling breaks before play. A child who feels faint or weak should stop immediately and move to a cool place.
Confusion, collapse, loss of consciousness, slurred speech or seizures can signal a medical emergency. Use the venue’s emergency plan and seek urgent local medical help.
- Do not use tournament importance to delay stopping.
- Do not leave an unwell child alone.
- Vomiting, worsening symptoms or symptoms that do not settle need medical advice.
Report observations, not a diagnosis
Ask: “Where do you feel it?” “When did it start?” and “Is it getting better, worse or staying the same?” Record what happened and pass those observations to the appropriate adult.
A coach can explain what they saw and adjust participation, but medical assessment belongs with a qualified health professional. Return-to-play decisions should follow relevant professional advice and the child’s actual condition.
Put it into practice
What parents can do
- Stop play when symptoms alter normal movement or behaviour.
- Move an overheated or unwell child to a cooler place and supervise them.
- Tell the responsible coach or official what you observed.
- Seek appropriate medical help when symptoms persist, recur or are concerning.
Choose the right next step
Who to contact—and what to say
- Coach or official: “My child is not moving or responding normally. They are stopping now.”
- Health professional: “These symptoms began during tennis, have persisted or returned, and affected normal activity.”
- Urgent local medical help: act immediately for collapse, confusion, loss of consciousness, seizure, severe breathing difficulty or another immediate danger.
Evidence basis
Sources used for this guide
Last editorial update 25 July 2026
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