Concussion Legislation Proposed in Iowa

BillyMac

ref2coach wrote
TSSAA in it's instructions at the State rules meetings and information passed through the State supervisors has "recommended" that referees not utter the word "concussion" or any variant thereof.

We got the same advice here in the Land of Steady Habits from our interpreter.

bob jenkins

mbyron wrote
The clearance clause fails to specify who is to receive the written clearance. That's an oversight.

No, it's not (imo). It's providing flexibility to allow (require) the states to determine who can provide it -- some states might require an MD or MO. SOme might allow trainers. Some might allow any "licensed medical professional."

refiator

Georgia brought in the "concussed" language this year. If a player shows any signs of concussion, they must leave the game and cannot return without a written doctor note. Good rule.

mbyron

bob jenkins wrote
No, it's not (imo). It's providing flexibility to allow (require) the states to determine who can provide it -- some states might require an MD or MO. SOme might allow trainers. Some might allow any "licensed medical professional."

I'm talking about the clause in the Iowa law, not the clause in the NFHS policy.

mbyron

Snaqwells wrote
And it seems to me pretty obvious that my NASO atty could get the case thrown out on the grounds that I'm not a doctor and thus not trained to recognize concussion symptoms.

I'm fairly confident that your attorney would NOT bring that up, given the wide availability of training in such recognition, including most obviously the NFHS online training. A plaintiff's attorney would feast on an admission that you were officiating without proper training.

The crucial distinction here, it seems to me, is "recognizing symptoms" vs. "diagnosing." We are now expected to do the former.

26 Year Gap

I recommend that all officials take the course. I also recommend that all legislators take the course. Saying the words "Exhibiting the signs of a possible concussion" is a protection for the official. And beckoning on the coach in those instances will ensure that the player will be replaced.

I had one near the end of the season. I blew the whistle because the kid was shaking his head after having gone to the floor and possibly hitting his head. The play was at the other end with no attempt to go for the basket by the other team. The kid returned later that quarter, but in FL, that is on the coach. We are to assume clearance has been given. Watching the video, it seems prudent that anyone leaving should not play anymore that game. I saw the video after the incident.

BayStateRef

Massachusetts passed a "concussion law" last year. All the responsibility is with schools and parents; officials are not mentioned at all.

The state law...and corresponding direction from the MIAA, however...calls for stronger action than the NFHS rules. If a player is sent out of a game (or practice) with symptoms of a concussion, he may not return that day at all...and may not return without written permission from a health-care professional to the school athletic director.

Details here: Concussion Update Issues

SNIPERBBB

Snaqwells wrote
sounds like the state is ripe for a lawsuit here.

I personally find that to be a silly use of legislative time, but unless there's something in there that's not being reported here, I don't see anything that makes it more likely for an official to get sued.

It should be noted that that 99.99% of all legislative time used is silly.

26 Year Gap

SNIPERBBB wrote
It should be noted that that 99.99% of all legislative time used is silly.

And the rest is squandered.

BillyMac

26 Year Gap wrote
Saying the words "Exhibiting the signs of a possible concussion" is a protection for the official. And beckoning on the coach in those instances will ensure that the player will be replaced.

As I have already stated, we have been advised not to use the "C Word" here. Instead we have been advised to just tell the coach what symptoms we have observed. i.e., beckon the coach and say, "Hey coach, this kid hit his head and seems a little shaky on his feet". After that we just treat it as any other injury.

26 Year Gap

BillyMac wrote
As I have already stated, we have been advised not to use the "C Word" here. Instead we have been advised to just tell the coach what symptoms we have observed. i.e., beckon the coach and say, "Hey coach, this kid hit his head and seems a little shaky on his feet". After that we just treat it as any other injury.

I haven't been nutmegged, so I am fine with my language.

BillyMac

26 Year Gap wrote
I haven't been nutmegged, so I am fine with my language.

NoFussRef

I can almost see it now...

Star player H1 fast break drives through and hits wall on endline. Bumps his a head a bit. Shakes it off and wants to continue.

HC for Visitor will come in with "Hey Ref, I think H1 is showing sings of concussion, you better do something." 🙄

26 Year Gap

NoFussRef wrote
I can almost see it now...

Star player H1 fast break drives through and hits wall on endline. Bumps his a head a bit. Shakes it off and wants to continue.

HC for Visitor will come in with "Hey Ref, I think H1 is showing sings of concussion, you better do something." :rolleyes:

He'd better be in his box when he says it. 😎

Adam

BillyMac wrote
As I have already stated, we have been advised not to use the "C Word" here. Instead we have been advised to just tell the coach what symptoms we have observed. i.e., beckon the coach and say, "Hey coach, this kid hit his head and seems a little shaky on his feet". After that we just treat it as any other injury.

Coach: "So what does the rule book say about "shaky on his feet? You can't send him to the bench for that."

mbyron

Snaqwells wrote
Coach: "So what does the rule book say about 'shaky on his feet'? You can't send him to the bench for that."

Exactly. And diction is no defense against legal liability: I can be sued for failing to enforce the policy just as easily as enforcing it using the word 'concussion'.

BillyMac

mbyron wrote
Exactly. And diction is no defense against legal liability: I can be sued for failing to enforce the policy just as easily as enforcing it using the word 'concussion'.

Plus, once he's beckoned, then he either has to request, and be granted, a timeout, or let the player sit a tick. After that it's up to him, and his health care professional, to let the kid continue to play, or not. The rest is none of my business. In Connecticut, I've done my job.

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