Southborough Youth Basketball expects its coaches to be aware of the seriousness of concussions and act cautiously when dealing with players who show any symptoms.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a free online training program that all SYBA coaches and parents are encouraged to complete.
The course can be found HERE.
WHAT IS A CONCUSSION
As explained by the CDC, a concussion is a traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head. Concussions can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth -- literally causing the brain to bounce around or twist within the skull. This sudden movement of the brain causes stretching and tearing of brain cell, damaging the cells and creating chemical changes in the brain.
HOW COACHES SHOULD HANDLE CONCUSSIONS
If a coach suspects a player has suffered a concussion during a practice or game, the coach must immediately remove the player from the court. The parents are to be notified and encouraged to have the player checked by a doctor. If the player is diagnosed with a concussion by their doctor, the player will be held out of activities until documentation from the doctor clearing the player is provided to the coach/SYBA.
Coaches must notify a member of the SYBA board via email when they are informed that a player has been diagnosed with a concussion.
Click HERE for the CDC Concussion Fact Sheet for Coaches.
HOW PARENTS SHOULD HANDLE CONCUSSIONS
If you suspect that your child has suffered a concussion, you should immediately notify a coach, who will remove the player from the court. If your child has suffered a concussion outside the SYBA, you also should notify your child's coach. If a player has been diagnosed with a concussion by their doctor, the player will be held out of SYBA activities until documentation from the doctor clearing the player is provided to the coach/SYBA.
Click HERE for the CDC Concussion Fact Sheet for Parents.
