The SBA firmly believes that Concussions are serious and supports the Ontario Basketball Association (OBA) policy fully.

OBA CONCUSSION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT POLICY

A concussion is a serious event, but you can recover fully from such an injury if the brain is given enough time to rest and recuperate. Returning to normal activities, including sport participation, is a step-wise process that requires patience, attention, and caution (source: Think First – Return to Play Guideline, 2012).

MEDICAL CLEARANCE IS REQUIRED BEFORE ATHLETE CAN RETURN TO PLAY

If during a practice, competition, training, camp, or clinic, an athlete sustains a direct or indirect force to the head and subsequently exhibits signs, symptoms (see above for list of possible symptoms) and/or functional changes consistent with a concussion, the athlete must immediately be removed from the activity and/or play and receive immediate medical assessment.

Coaches are never to make a determination on their own.

Following removal from the activity and/or play, any person suspected to have sustained a concussion is to be assessed by a medical doctor (or emergency physician) to determine the extent of the athlete’s injury and to rule out further pathology.

Individuals diagnosed with a concussion should rest until they are symptom-free and should then begin a step-wise symptom-limited program with stages of progression, only after they are without symptoms for a 24-hour period.

As recommended by Think First Canada, there is a six (6) step process to evaluate readiness before an athlete can return to play. The steps are as follows:

Step 1: No activity, only complete rest. Limit school, work and tasks requiring concentration. Refrain from physical activity until symptoms are gone. Once symptoms are gone, a physician, preferably one with experience managing concussions, should be consulted before beginning a step wise return to play process.

Step 2: Light aerobic exercise. Activities such as walking or stationary cycling. The player should be supervised by someone who can help monitor for symptoms and signs. No resistance training or weight lifting. The duration and intensity of the aerobic exercise can be gradually increased over time if no symptoms or signs return during the exercise or the next day. Symptoms? Return to rest until symptoms have resolved. If symptoms persist, consult a physician. No symptoms?

Proceed to Step 3 the next day.

Step 3: Sport specific activities. Activities such as stationary passing, dribbling or shooting can begin at step 3. There should be no body contact or other jarring motions such as high speed stops. Symptoms? Return to rest until symptoms have resolved. If symptoms persist, consult a physician. No symptoms?

Proceed to Step 4 the next day.

Step 4: Begin drills without body contact. Symptoms? Return to rest until symptoms have resolved. If symptoms persist, consult a physician. No symptoms? The time needed to progress from non-contact exercise will vary with the severity of the concussion and with the player.

Proceed to Step 5 only after medical clearance.

Step 5: Begin drills with body contact. Symptoms? Return to rest until symptoms have resolved. If symptoms persist, consult a physician. No symptoms?

Proceed to Step 6 the next day.

Step 6: Possible Symptoms (as per Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 2 – SCAT2) Presence of any of the following signs and symptoms may suggest a concussion:

• Loss of consciousness
• Seizure or convulsion
• Amnesia
• Headache
• “Pressure in head”
• Neck Pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Balance problems
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to noise
• Feeling slowed down
• Feeling like “in a fog“
• “Don’t feel right”
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty remembering
• Fatigue or low energy
• Confusion
• Drowsiness
• More emotional
• Irritability
• Sadness
• Nervous or anxious

Our coaches are never to make a determination on their own and neither should parents. Following removal from the activity and/or play, any person suspected to have sustained a concussion should be assessed by a medical doctor (or emergency physician) to determine the extent of the athlete’s injury and to rule out further pathology.

IF A PLAYER IS SUSPECTED TO HAVE A CONCUSSION DURING A TEAM ACTIVITY/GAME, THE SBA TEAM OFFICIALS WILL:

STEP 1
Remove player from activity/game immediately

STEP 2
SBA Team Officials will complete a SBA Concussion Report Form and will provide a copy to:
the parent recommending that he/she seeks medical assessment immediately; and will provide a copy to the SBA office within twenty-four (24) hours

STEP 3
For serious fall – The parent should call 911 immediately and/or go to the nearest Hospital Emergency Department

For possible concussion – The parent should schedule an appointment with a medical doctor immediately

STEP 4
Before a SBA player is permitted to return to the team for practices and/or games, the SBA team coach must receive a concussion diagnosis from a medical assessment*

The SBA team coach will send the medical assessment or a copy of the medical assessment to the SBA office within twenty-fours (24) hours

*MEDICAL ASSESSMENT must be from one of the following:
Family physician, Paediatrician, Emergency room physician, Sports-medicine physician, Neurologist, Nurse practitioner

RESOURCES