Quote:
Originally posted by Mark Dexter
Quote:
Originally posted by Dan_ref
Mark, this is a pretty bold statement. Can you show where
the unconsious player rule only applies if the player is rendered unconsious while he's in the game?
Here's the rule from the 2001/2002 book:
2-8-5 ...Determine when a player is apparently unconciuous.
The player may not return to play in the game without
written authorization from a physician.
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Although I don't agree with the spirit of his interpretation, MTD is correct that a player is one of the five team members on the court at a given time (4-34-1).
In your case, though, I'm going to deem the kid unconscious the second he steps onto the court!
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I'm not even going to let him step onto the court. I know by the most literal interpretation of the rule, he is only a player when he comes onto the court. I think the spirit of the rule has to be addressed. The players' safety has to have a higher priority than a literal interpretation of this rule.
Here's another scenario. Player A1 becomes unconscious during the game. He is removed from the game and one of the parents who is a dermatologist(qualified physician) in the stands gives this player a written authorization to return to the game. I'm still not going to let that player back into the game. There is nothing that says that you have to honor this physician's authorization. As firedoc stated you can't have a complete neuro exam courtside. The player will not play if I am officiating, period. I will always err on the side of player safety.