Quote:
Originally Posted by ref3808
. . . I've done a few AAU games where athletes have been injured and a concussion was possible/probable and thankfully in each case the coaches have held the athlete out of the remainder of the game.
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Our state association has committed the schools and their representatives to a protocol which leaves the determination of whether or not a concussion has been sustained to their “appropriate health care professional.” This was, at first, a controversial item, since that AHCP need not be a licensed physician or certified trainer--it could even be the coach! Many feared that we officials would be allowing concussed players, compelled by overly zealous coaches, to reenter the game when they shouldn't be allowed to play. However, those fears seem to have been unsubstantiated, probably because the penalty, not to mention the possible legal liability on the school, is so high.
I've not heard of a situation where this protocol has been abused for the sake of keeping a player with a concussion in the game.
Our state legislature has before it right now a bill which would extend a similar protocol to non-state sanctioned sports as well. This should cover everything from Little League, to USSSA, to AAU, to Mini-Mites--whatever.
Hope things are going in that direction in your state as well.