A. Definition of Concussion
The definition of “concussion” is taken from the 2017 Consensus Statement from the Concussion in Sport Group:
Sport related concussion (SRC) is a traumatic brain injury induced by biomechanical forces. Concussion happens
when the brain moves or stops quickly in the skull. While concussion may result from a blow to the head, face,
neck, concussion can also result from a hit to the body or fall that transmits impulsive force to the head and
causes the head to move quickly back and forth. (See CDC Heads Up – Fact Sheet for Youth Sports Parents.)
i. Evaluation, Participation and Return-to-Play
If a player is suspected of having a concussion, or exhibits the signs or symptoms of concussion,
(described below), he or she must be removed immediately from participation. Evaluation for concussion
must be administered by a physician or healthcare professional licensed and experienced in evaluating
concussion in a quiet, distraction-free environment (such as the locker room, medical clinic, etc.). Only a
healthcare professional should assess a player for a possible concussion. Players, coaches, and parents
should not try to judge the severity of the injury themselves, including because they may not know how
serious the concussion is at first, and some symptoms may not show up for hours or days.
A. Serial Evaluation and Monitoring
i. If a player undergoes a concussion evaluation and is not diagnosed with a concussion:
a. The physician or healthcare professional must clear the player to return to participation, review
the signs and symptoms of concussion with the player and his parents or guardians (and
coaches and/or trainer, if possible), and direct them to contact the provider and/or seek
medical attention if the player develops such signs or symptoms.
b. The player must be monitored by the team’s coaches and/or trainer and parents or guardians
during the player’s next game or practice (if applicable).
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c. If the player develops any late onset signs or symptoms of concussion, the player must
immediately be removed from participation for concussion evaluation.
ii. If an injury mechanism also raises concern for a more significant head or cervical spine injury, the
physician or healthcare professional should consider whether monitoring the player for an emergent head
or cervical spine injury or sending that player to a hospital or urgent care clinic is indicated.
B. Prohibition from Participation
If a player is diagnosed with a concussion, they may not return to participation: (1) on that same day or
the next calendar day; and (2) before being cleared to participate by a physician or healthcare
professional licensed and experienced in evaluating concussion. The player’s return should be a gradual
and progressive process that is carefully managed and monitored by such physician or healthcare
professional in compliance with applicable state and local policies, with the exact amount and duration of
rest, exertion, and activity tailored to each case.
To promote recovery, a player who is diagnosed with a concussion should (1) consider limiting his use of
electronic games and devices as advised by the physician or healthcare professional; (2) be educated
about the need for appropriate sleep, nutrition, and hydration; and (3) limit his exposure to large groups of
people until cleared.
Please also be advised that symptoms for some individuals can last for months or longer. Coaches,
trainers, and parents should speak with the player’s physician or healthcare provider if the player’s
concussion symptoms do not go away or if they get worse after they return to their regular activities.
For all Jr. NBA events, the Jr. NBA reserves the right to determine whether a player may return to
participation after the player has received medical clearance by such physician or healthcare
professional.
2. Potential signs and symptoms of concussion
Observable signs of concussion may include the following:
1. Any loss of consciousness
2. Slow to get up following contact
3. Difficulty with balance or coordination (player stumbles, trips/falls, or exhibits slow and/or labored
movement)
4. Blank or vacant look
5. Disorientation (for example, player is unsure of location of the bench)
6. Changes in behavior
7. Clutching of head after contact to the head
8. Visible head injury in combination with any of the above
3: Symptoms of concussion reported by players may include the following
1. Headache
2. Dizziness
3. Difficulty with balance or coordination
4. Nausea
5. Difficulty with memory (especially when trying to recall the events prior to or just after the hit or fall)
6. Feeling slow, foggy, or disoriented
7. Sensitivity to light or sound
8. Disorientation
9. Trouble with vision
10. Ringing of the ears
Please note that the signs and symptoms of concussion listed above, although frequently observed or reported, are not an
exhaustive list. The number and severity of symptoms that occur with an individual concussion may vary.
4. Incident and injury reporting
Teams are required to send League Operators an incident/injury tracking report that documents any injury that requires
first aid or professional medical treatment during a practice or game (and/or any other injury that the team and/or League
Operator elects to document). League Operators are required to maintain such reports from teams in accordance with
applicable laws and may be required to provide them to the Jr. NBA.
REPORTING PROCESS AND GUIDELINES
Responding:
If you witness concerning behaviors or Jr. NBA Leagues violations, you should:
• Interrupt the behavior, if physically safe to do so.
• If Child Abuse or other violations are disclosed to you, assure the individual disclosing that he or she was correct
to tell you.
• Protect the alleged victim from intimidation, retribution, or further Child Abuse.
• Immediately report the behavior as described below.
• If you are not comfortable making the report directly, make it anonymously. But keep in mind that anonymous
reports can be much more challenging to investigate, and Youth are better served if you provide your name when
making a report.
• If the report is about a person designated to receive such reports, contact the next level of management.
• Document the incident, disclosure, or circumstances causing your suspicion.
• Document your report, including when, how, and to whom you reported it, but do not investigate.