When a rule book is written the authors try diligently to address every situation imaginable and then deal with those situations--but there is one issue that needs further clarification for everyone's benefit--and that is the area of a player using a device to check their blood sugar and then how to remedy that problem.
This issue is relevant to both the USTA and UIL because it directly affects the playing ability and physical welfare of junior players. Remember that if there is not a specific UIL rule, then they revert to USTA rules so that will guide our discussion.
The rule book says that taking time out to check blood sugar is not a medical time out so it does not fall under the time guidelines for a medical time out but where are the specific guidelines for this issue. I have consulted numerous experienced referees and none of them have a concrete answer for this issue. One referee had a letter from the USTA saying basically "just take care of the problem" but that doesn't help in reality--just leads to more confusion on the part of players, parents, and officials. Here are some things to consider in this discussion:
* Since checking blood sugar and treating it, are not a MTO, then what is it?
* The maximum time allowed for a bleeding timeout is 15 minutes but what is the maximum time to treat low blood sugar? It may take 3 to 4 minutes but it may also take up to 45 minutes.
Here is what the Friend at Court has to say:
FAC, Page 100:
E. Medication timeout and bleeding timeout.
4. Non-treatable medical conditions. Players may not receive a medical timeout or treatment
any time during a match, a warm-up, or rest period for the following medical conditions:
c. Any medical condition requiring injection (other than insulin injection. DIABETICS
WHO USE DEVICES TO CHECK BLOOD SUGAR, ADMINISTER SUBCUTANEOUS
INJECTIONS OF INSULIN, OR USE BATTERY-POWERED INSULIN PUMPS MUST
NOT BE DEFAULTED.
Now that we know they cannot be defaulted, how much time can and should be allowed for treatment of this issue????
3 comments:
The rulebook classifies that as a non-treatable medical condition under 4 section C. No medical timeouts are allowed. However it also states the player must not be defaulted. I’d just allow standard changeover times assuming it’s on a changeover. Time violations would apply
This happened here in Dallas in a recent tournament and the referee (not me) gave the player 15 minutes to get his blood sugar regulated. The coach wanted as long as it took and the opponent and his Mother wanted only 3 minutes. Interesting...
Type 1 diabetes is not a surprise injury like a turned ankle or a strained hamstring. It is a life condition that the player has to learn to manage and manage it well to live. Even the younger players have shown a great capability many times to recognize the problem as it approaches and with the advances in smart watch technology, they can be even more so. I emphasize to my affected players that no one else can monitor and control their situation as closely as they can if they pay attention. They need to be aware even at a young age how to recognize the signs and be ready to treat on change overs and even to request the MTO if needed. They need to have their supplies on court and be ready to take action to supplement their blood sugar as a process through out the match. Sudden precipitous drops in blood sugar levels can still happen and in almost all cases that I have experienced, the player was able to continue with in the prescribed guidelines. The no default refers to the injection not being grounds to be defaulted not a blanket ok to do whatever the player wishes. Most players are good managers of their condition and we need to be aware of where they are and how they seem to be performing. It is their responsibility to work within the guidelines and most figure it out.
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