asthmatic player

[Matt S.]

Happened today...

Near the end of the 1st half, running down the court I hear this strange noise...finally realize that a girl is wheezing...as soon as her team gets ball, I blow my whistle, get her off the court-coach then says to me and partner we need to be "more aware" of that. I honestly didn't realize what it was until I saw her, but shouldn't the coach have told me before the game even started?

Ever happen to you? And do you kill the ball immediately, or wait like you would in any other sitch?

[Hawks Coach]

Asthmatic players have always been an "issue" on my teams - can't remember the last time I coached a team here in MD without one asthmatic player. Each of my parents with asthmatic children has let me know(and if they don't, it's easy to spot as a coach!), and each of these kids knows what to do when they get in a bad way and they often ask to come out. I also look for it, to get them out, hit the inhaler, then get them back in if they can. I don't see this as a ref issue unless it is so obvious that you can't miss it and the coach isn't doing anything. for the coach to criticize you tells me the coach was unaware to begin with, and is now shifting the blame. Coaches, after many practices and games, know their asthmatic players and the signs that it is becoming a problem, much more than you will. Wile you remain responsible for game safety, I think the coach needs to step up here first if he/she is really concerned about the kids.

My bet is that a kid got beat because they were wheezing and the coach blamed you! In that case, not your fault, and not necessarily an immediate risk to the player.

[Just Curious]

Originally posted by Matt S.
Happened today...

Near the end of the 1st half, running down the court I hear this strange noise...finally realize that a girl is wheezing...as soon as her team gets ball, I blow my whistle, get her off the court-coach then says to me and partner we need to be "more aware" of that. I honestly didn't realize what it was until I saw her, but shouldn't the coach have told me before the game even started?

Ever happen to you? And do you kill the ball immediately, or wait like you would in any other sitch?

Early on as a coach, I had a girl that had a condition wherein she didn't have any sweat glands. I never knew this until one evening after practice her mother came in and wanted to know why her daughter had been made to run laps... Couldn't I see how red her daughter had become? This puzzled the heck out of me, but after an information exchange, I found out about this condition her daughter had and the mother found out that she didn't run anymore laps than any of the other girls had. We kept a damp towel on hand to cool her down if she became overheated from there.
As a coach or a official this information isn't always made available... I don't believe it to be a ref issue either. Asthmatic players are fairly common these days. Consider yourself aware... and in your judgement if a player is struggling, stop play and get with their coach.

[co2ice]

As a cronic asthmatic myself, each of us knows our limitations. I carry 2 different inhalers with me and have them at courtside. However not everyone has that luxury, it was not your fault the player began wheezing but you did what you had to do when you noticed the problem and you are to be commended. Asthma medications have improved 1000% in the last few years and I have no problems now, maybe this players parents need to get them into a specialist. Keep up the great work!!!!!!!

[rainmaker]

Question: If an asthmatic player wants to step to the sideline during play, take a quick squirt ( I don't like calling it a puff) and then continue in the play, is that legal? Does it matter where the ball is in relation to the player? It's not legal for a drink of water, is it?

[Dan_ref]

Originally posted by rainmaker
Question: If an asthmatic player wants to step to the sideline during play, take a quick squirt ( I don't like calling it a puff) and then continue in the play, is that legal? Does it matter where the ball is in relation to the player? It's not legal for a drink of water, is it?

No, no & no.

If the kid is in obvious distress then blow the ball dead
regardless of who has it & where they are. Especially if
it's a rec league game, and by that I mean don't give a
player the benefit of the doubt just to keep the game
going. I think it's safe to say that usually the older
asthmatic kids will know their own limitations & either
slow down or ask to be pulled before they are in trouble,
although I would not bet the house on it.

[Richard Ogg]

Oh my, another rule I didn't know. (I've really read the rule book, guys. Honest!)

I've seen a player step near the bench during a free throw to talk with the coach (legal) and, during the conversation, take a small swig of water. Now you're telling me that the drink is not legal? Voonderful, something else to watch for....

[Hawks Coach]

No water during FTs? I'd love to see the reference for that one! And what is the penalty? Team T? Player T?

[Dan_ref]

Originally posted by Hawks Coach
No water during FTs? I'd love to see the reference for that one! And what is the penalty? Team T? Player T?

If the player spills water on the floor during FT's then we
might have a T for delay to clean it up. Or at least a
stern warning.

Please note that the original question was can a player take
water or an asthma inhaler during the game. I read that
as during play, not during FT's. Certainly we get close to
leaving the floor for an unathorized reason in the non-FT
case. But if a player goes to the sideline during play &
takes water or pulls out his inhaler I'm gonna blow the
ball dead as soon as possible.