|
The original question on this thread was, "Can the team get an USC penalty (for wearing armbands) or has this been changed. thanks". The absolute answer to that questions is "Yes", but the better question might have been SHOULD an USC penalty be assessed for wearing armbands, and that answer is not so universal.
Whether we each like it, or not, the NFHS rules identify this equipment as illegal and there is a prescribed penalty for playing with illegal equipment. They have decided the equipment poses a potential hazard, and it's their responsibility to render such judgments, not our's. However, equally important to our knowing the rules of the game is our judgment in knowing when to enforce them.
If a State Association, or a more localized Board, issued a specific modification or called special attention to this application of this rule, it seems logical to follow those instructions. However, as we've done for the last 100+ years we try and avoid the necessity of penalizing certain situations by what we call "preventive officiating", such as when we see a mouth piece dangling, or a chin strap unbuckled.
We're on the field for 30 minutes before each game, and inappropriate arm bands are pretty visible, even more so than prohibited knots tied under the armpits or on the back of jerseys. It seems a lot more productive to address this issue with the coaching staff before the game (emphasis on "address" rather than discuss) and prevent any subsequent oversight by refusing to allow any player, so equipped, from entering the game.
Those efforts should prevent 99.9% of the problems from occuring. If you find it necessary to apply the remedy proscribed by rule in the remaining 0.01%, it shouldn't surprise anyone.
|