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I'm shocked and embarrassed at most of the responses to this post.
I think that the examples given in opposition of asking before hand are extremely unlikely. I would like to think that if some kid was lying on the court convulsing or motionless that you would stop the game immediately, regardless of what you do or don't already know about the person or how your little book tells you to handle the situation. Nobody is asking you to perform medical assistance, just to provide the opportunity for help to get there unimpeded.
I think the original poster does a great service to him or herself and the game. The argument for asking is simply to maintain the safety of all participants - don't try to turn it to anything else.
P.S. - In 10 years of coaching I've only had one situation where an injury warranted immediate attention - My player trying to save a ball going out of bounds races towards the endline stumbles head first into a brick wall. The ref raced across the baseline and caught her before she hit the ground. I'm glad some of you on this board weren't reffing that game, because she technically saved the ball and it was still live on the court, so what the ruling - play on until the ball is dead and let her lay unconscious on the floor.
P.S.S. - you do realize that you are officiating a game played by KIDS of varying ages and skill sets of whom a very rare few will ever make any money at. I know you take crap from everyone about the job you do, but don't put the rulebook ahead of the safety of the kids - which is your main task until you are reffing the pros.
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