Originally Posted by BillyMac
I plan to submit this article (below) to IAABO for publishing, definitely local, maybe state, possibly "International".
Can anyone find any errors? Keep in mind that this is only for IAABO members, in almost all cases NFHS rules apply, the exception being the section on protective headbands.
"Badges? We Don't Need No Stinking Badges”
What does officiating the game of basketball have to do with a quote from the 1974 Mel Brooks satirical Western comedy film, Blazing Saddles?
When it comes to the enforcement of so-called “Fashion Police” rules, not only do basketball officials not need badges, many officials don’t even want badges. (put this in the para above)
Officials love the challenge of calling a great game: block or charge; advantage/disadvantage on fouls; working with a good partner to get all out-of-bounds calls correct, etc. Add a transition sentence here from like to dislike: Eg "That said..." Many officials don't relish telling players that they can’t participate while wearing an illegal color undershirt, or an illegal color headband.
Yet, the National Federation of High Schools, the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, and state interscholastic sports governing bodies non-hs-basketball people might not see the difference between this and NFHS, want these equipment restriction rules enforced by on-court officials.
The NFHS has made changes to these equipment restriction rules over the past few years that often confuse some officials. References to “school color” have now been completely removed from the rulebook. Tights are now allowed, and compression shorts are to be treated the same as any Not ANY as your undershirt paragraph describes other equipment item (compression shorts must no longer be the same color as the uniform shorts but now must be the solid color black, white, beige, or the predominant color of the uniform jersey). This paragraph is difficult to relate to its opening sentences....I expected it to speak to color, but the emphasis here is on undergarments. Expand more on the color rule, then give us examples. OR...writers choice...tell us about the restricted garments, and then go rule by rule per item.
Rules regarding undershirts are the most restrictive, and should be the easiest to enforce by officials. Undershirts must be similar in color to the uniform jersey. According to NFHS rules, the home team must wear white uniform jerseys. Therefore, the only legal undershirt color for home players would be white, and only white. Players on the visiting team, wearing their dark road jerseys, must wear dark colored undershirts similar in color to their dark color uniform jerseys. “School color” no longer applies to undershirts, and has absolutely no place in the current NFHS rulebook. Please expand on why school color and undershirt regulations have no place in the rulebook. This is editorializing, unless you can provide rules support ina rule-based article. Undershirts may not have frayed edges. Undershirt sleeves shall be the same length. Note that this rule does not require all players to wear the same length sleeves on their undershirts, but each individual player must have sleeves the same length on the undershirt if worn.
There is a wider array of legal color options for other equipment items such as headbands, wristbands, arm sleeves, knee sleeves, lower leg sleeves, compression shorts, tights, etc. All of These equipment items must be the solid color black, white, beige, or the predominant color of the uniform jersey, and the same color for each item, and the same color for all participants. Again, “school color” no longer applies to these equipment items, and has absolutely no place in the current NFHS rulebook.
Furthermore, anything worn on the arm deleted comma or the leg (except a knee brace), is defined as a sleeve including a knee or elbow pad. Only a single headband may be worn on the head, and headbands are not allowed to have extensions or tails. Only one moisture absorbing wristband is permitted on each wrist, and each wristband must be worn on the arm below the elbow.
Transition into next para, eg: "However, there are some exceptions to non-uniform items."
By rule, Exceptions to equipment color restrictions include rubber, cloth, or elastic bands, used to control hair. Such hair control devices (e.g., ponytail holders) i.e is "in other words" e.g is an example are under no color restrictions. These are designated as soft hair control devices. Hard hair control devices deleted comma include but are not limited to: beads, barrettes, and bobby pins, of any color, and are prohibited. Remember, permitted headbands go around the entire head and must be the solid color black, white, beige, or the predominant color of the uniform jersey, replaced semi colon with comma while soft hair control devices only go around hair and are under no color restrictions. removed parens Hard hair control devices of all kinds are not allowed.
Another exception to the equipment color restrictions deals with knee braces. Knees typo braces are under no color restrictions. Knee braces are worn for a medical purpose to increase stability in the knee, and have embedded inserts to support the joint. Knee braces may or may not commas deleted have hinges, straps, or an opening over the knee cap. Braces are not sleeves. Remember that ordinary knee pads (as well as elbow pads) are treated as sleeves and fall under NFHS equipment color restrictions (solid color black, white, beige, or the predominant color of the uniform jersey).
Also, IAABO has determined that padded protective headbands (often called concussion headbands), are legal, and deleted comma like knee braces, are under no color restrictions.
Players may not participate or warmup while wearing jewelry. Religious or medical alert medals deleted commas are not considered jewelry. A religious medal must be taped, and worn under the uniform. A medical alert medal must also be taped, and unlike a religious emblem,may be visible.
State associations may permit players to participate while wearing a head covering for medical or religious reasons, on an individual basis. The head covering must be not be abrasive, hard, or dangerous to any other player. It must be attached in such a way that is highly unlikely to come off during play.
Transition with some sort of lead-in from rules to advice/best practice The best time for officials to observe compliance with equipment restrictions is during pregame warmups. However, if players are wearing pregame warmup apparel over their game uniforms, it may be impossible to observe such equipment restrictions during the pregame warmups. It is then necessary that officials observe compliance with equipment restrictions for the starting players as they enter the court for the jump ball to begin the game. Even After the game begins, and officials have responsibilites for the game on the floor, it is also necessary for officials to observe compliance with equipment restrictions as substitutes are beckoned into the game.
Over the past few years, many basketball teams have held “Cancer Awareness Nights”. This often involves the wearing of special uniforms deleted comma and equipment, such as players wearing the color pink. Officials should utilize common sense when dealing with these special circumstances.
Good conclusion but don't end so abruptly. Succinctly review what we have learned/been reminded of here, and the importance of consistently enforcing the rules. Then go full blast into your relevant quote.
For those officials contemplating not enforcing equipment restrictions because such rules have “nothing to do with the game of basketball”, in the words of author Roy T. Bennett, “Stop doing what is easy, or popular. Start doing what is right”.
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