A high-school basketball player suffers a grade 2 ankle sprain during mid season of the competitive schedule. After a 3-week course of rehabilitation, most of the pain and swelling have been eliminated. The athlete is anxious to get back into practice and competitive games as soon as possible, and subsequent injuries to other players have put pressure on the coach to force the athlete's return. Unfortunately, the athlete is still unable to perform the functional tasks (cutting and jumping) essential in basketball.
a. Who is responsible for making the decision regarding when the athlete can fully return to practice and game situations?