Quote:
Originally Posted by BktBallRef
Disagree. He does not have to materially affect the play to participate. He must "cease involvement with the play." NFHS 9.6.4 Situation F
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Fine, but what does "involvement" mean? 1-5-1 says, "Each player shall participate while wearing the following pieces of properly fitted equipment,"
The foul in question is a violation of the "illegal participation" provisions, under 9-6-4(g): "For a player whose helmet comes completely off during a down to continue to participate beyond the immediate action in which the player is engaged."
2-30 defines "participation" as "any act or action by a player or nonplayer that has an influence on play."
Clearly "any action...that has an influence on play" can't be understood literally, or it would include people's sending signals in from the bench. That's why I use the phrase "materially affect"; signals are not material.