Long Island District Board # 41

Long Island District Board # 41

Message from the State Office Regarding Concussions

To all NYS Interpreters

A little update and once again more clarification on the concussion rule. The State Office contacted me today regarding a clarification on the procedure for officials when encountering the new concussion rule. Apparently they have been receiving phone calls from sections across the state. As we all know, officials are to remove a player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion and that before a player can return he/she must be cleared by the school medical officer.

Once the official has removed the player he/she has done his/her job. If the same player later comes to the table to return to the game, the officials shall beckon the player back into the game. It is not the officials place to question whether the player has been cleared or who cleared him/her--the officials should just beckon the player back in. This is because once the officials remove the player the entire responsibility falls on the school. It is their responsibility for them to deal with that player and if they choose, have him cleared to return to play. The school medical officer is the one who permits the player to return.

The additional information I received today is that the school medical officer may designate a medical person to act in his behalf at a game and it is up to the school to setup this medical procedure. The schools have been advised of the protocol and again it is their responsibility to follow through properly with this. The State Office wants to be sure that all officials know that if a player does appear at the table to return to play, that player may return to the game. Again the officials shall not question the return of the player. However, if the player returns and later shows the same signs and symptoms you can again remove him.

In my discussion with the State Office they questioned why we are instructed to ask the coach if the school medical officer is there or not. I advised them that IAABO Attorney, Alan Goldberger recommended that all IAABO Officials ask the coach if the school medical officer is at the game site and make a note of whether or not the school medical officer was present or not. This procedure is in case of a future lawsuit.

Basically there is no change to the mechanics of the rule, remove a player who exhibits signs, symptoms consistent with a concussion and if that player returns to play he/she shall be allowed back in the game without any questions asked by the officials. Hopefully we won't see too many if any concussion cases and we won't have many of these situations come up.

Yours in basketball
Lee

MEMORANDUM

DATE: NOVEMBER 1, 2010
TO: TOM LOPES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
APPROVED BASKETBALL OFFICIALS, INC.
FROM: AL GOLDBERGER, COUNSEL
SUBJECT: SPECIAL ADVISORY TO IAABO OFFICIALS –

OFFICIATING THE NEW NFHS CONCUSSION RULES

For the upcoming season, the NHFS has instituted new rules governing removal/return-to-play of a player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with concussion. These rules and Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion appended to the Rules Book have been implemented across all NFHS sports. For IAABO officials working under NFHS rules, the following are the recommended mechanics for Rules 2-8-5 and 3-3-8 of the 2010-2011 NFHS Basketball Rules:

I. THE RULE

2-8-5.The official shall. . . immediately remove a player from the game who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion as in 3-3-8. (See NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion in Appendix D on page 75.) 3-3-8. Any player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the game and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health care professional. (See NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion in Appendix D....)

II. BEFORE THE GAME

A. Review Mechanics and Rule thoroughly

B. Secure from each Coach name and title of "Appropriate Health Care Professional" (as defined by state association regulations)

III. INJURY MECHANICS PLUS

A. Beckon Coach/Medical personnel

B. Observe player. If no symptoms apparent, ask question(s) per NFHS guidelines

C. Behaviors on list-careful observation- official - coach - ATC - physician

D. When directing removal of the student athlete from the game, use the language of the Rule.

E. Do NOT discuss cause of injury.

F. Do NOT converse with spectators/parents/opponents

G. Partner should observe process while continuing to supervise court and players.

H. Words to never use
"He may have had a concussion."
"It looks like a concussion to me."
"I am removing her because I suspect a concussion."
"I don’t think she should return to the game today."

I. Record Removal of Player, Time of Substitution, and if at request of Coach or Official. Also note if athlete injured or ill but not removed under "concussion rule"

IV. INJURY MECHANICS - ALL INJURY SITUATIONS

A. Continue to supervise both teams and benches
B. Do not render first aid
C. Keep opponents separated
D. Do not discuss cause of injury
E. Do not permit player to be moved, except under direction of medical personnel

V. RETURN-TO-PLAY (RTP)

A. CLEAR RTP WITH APPROPRIATE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE
PERMITTING SUBSTITUTION
B. Note name and title of Health-Care Professional and time of re-entry
C. Partner should observe process while continuing to supervise court and players
NOTE: In some states, the Rule has been modified to eliminate same day return-to-play for a player removed under Rules 2-8-5 and 3-3-8. Under the modified rule, the player may not be permitted to return-to-play the same day or evening. Please contact your state association or board interpreter for modified-rule information.

VI. AFTER THE GAME

A. Communication as Appropriate
B. No public statements
C. No social media
D. Complete game report, (if required)
MEMO 2010NF1