Concussion Awareness and Management Policy

This policy establishes BYBA’s concussion-awareness, response, medical-clearance, and return-to-play requirements for all BYBA practices, games, clinics, tournaments, and other basketball activities. It applies to athletes, coaches, assistant coaches, volunteers, officials acting for BYBA, and parents or guardians.

BYBA will follow applicable New York requirements and current public-health guidance. This policy is an administrative and safety protocol and does not replace evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional.

• Coaches and assistant coaches must complete the CDC HEADS UP Youth Sports concussion training, or another BYBA-approved equivalent, before participating each season. BYBA will retain completion records.
• Before participation each season, athletes and parents/guardians will receive concussion information covering signs and symptoms, the duty to report symptoms, removal from play, emergency warning signs, medical evaluation, and return-to-play requirements.
• As part of the registration process, each parent or guardian registering a child must confirm electronically that they have reviewed and agree to the BYBA Concussion Awareness and Management Policy. BYBA will retain that confirmation with the registration record.
• Coaches must encourage honest symptom reporting and must never pressure or permit an athlete to hide symptoms or continue playing after a suspected concussion.

A concussion is a brain injury that may result from a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body. Loss of consciousness is not required. Symptoms may appear immediately or later.

1. Remove the athlete from play immediately whenever a concussion is suspected. A coach does not diagnose a concussion; suspicion is enough to remove.
2. Keep the athlete out for the remainder of that day. The athlete may not return to practice, drills, warmups, or a game on the same day, even if symptoms improve.
3. Assess for emergency danger signs, provide appropriate first aid, and do not leave the athlete alone. Do not move an athlete with a suspected neck or spine injury unless necessary for immediate safety.
4. Notify the parent or guardian promptly and explain the observed signs, reported symptoms, and the need for medical evaluation.
5. Complete a BYBA incident report as soon as practicable and notify the designated BYBA administrator.

Emergency danger signs - call 911:

• Worsening or severe headache; repeated vomiting; seizure or convulsions.
• Increasing confusion, agitation, unusual behavior, or inability to recognize people or places.
• Slurred speech; weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination; one pupil larger than the other.
• Increasing drowsiness or inability to wake; loss of consciousness; suspected neck or spine injury.
• Any rapidly worsening neurological condition.

• An athlete removed for a suspected concussion must be evaluated by a qualified licensed healthcare provider authorized to evaluate and clear concussion injuries under applicable law.
• The athlete may not begin BYBA’s graduated return-to-play progression until symptoms have resolved as directed by the healthcare provider, the athlete has returned to regular school and daily activities as appropriate, and BYBA has received written authorization to begin the progression.
• A note merely stating that the athlete was “seen” is not sufficient. The written authorization must permit a return to athletic activity or the graduated return-to-play progression.
• BYBA may require clarification or updated written authorization when restrictions are unclear, symptoms recur, or safety concerns remain.

After written medical authorization, the athlete must complete the following progression under adult supervision. Each step requires a minimum of 24 hours. The athlete advances only if no concussion symptoms occur during or after the activity.

If symptoms return or new symptoms develop at any stage, stop activity immediately. Notify the parent/guardian and follow the treating healthcare provider’s instructions. The athlete may resume only as medically directed and should not advance until the prior step is again completed without symptoms.

• Coaches: know this policy, complete required training, remove an athlete when a concussion is suspected, notify the parent/guardian, document the incident, and prevent return before required clearance and completion of the progression.
• Parents/guardians: obtain appropriate medical evaluation, monitor the athlete, follow healthcare-provider restrictions, and provide required written authorization or clearance to BYBA.
• Athletes: report symptoms honestly, do not hide symptoms to remain in play, and follow medical and return-to-play instructions.
• Officials: stop or pause play when necessary to address a suspected head injury and support removal of the athlete from participation.

• Use age-appropriate rules and instruction; enforce rules against dangerous, reckless, or unsportsmanlike contact.
• Teach body control, safe play, respect for opponents, and the expectation that symptoms are reported immediately.
• Inspect courts and playing areas for hazards and maintain appropriate supervision.
• Each BYBA facility should have an emergency action plan that identifies the facility address, emergency entrance, AED location, first-aid supplies, emergency exits, and designated responsibilities for contacting and meeting emergency medical services.
• Coaches should know how to activate emergency medical services at each facility where they coach.

• For every suspected concussion, BYBA will complete an incident report documenting the athlete, date and circumstances of the incident, observed or reported symptoms, action taken, parent/guardian notification, and the person completing the report.
• BYBA will retain coach-training records, registration confirmations, incident reports, medical-authorization or clearance documents, and return-to-play records in accordance with its record-retention practices.
• Medical information will be shared only with those who need it to protect the athlete and administer participation restrictions, subject to applicable law.
• The BYBA Board or its designee will review this policy periodically and update it as laws or authoritative guidance change.

BYBA will require every parent or guardian registering a child to confirm during the registration process that they have reviewed and agree to the BYBA Concussion Awareness and Management Policy.