Concussion Type Headbands ???

[JRutledge]

Well our state told us that these were illegal. I do not think the NF has directly addressed this situation.

Peace

[Nevadaref]

Such items are not permitted unless the state association has granted the wearer an exemption for either medical or religious reasons.

[OKREF]

We've been told if its for medical reasons that they are allowed.

[SC Official]

If I'm told it's for a medical reason, they can play. Not a battle I'm going to fight with respect to having "proper documentation." Let the state deal with it after the game.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by SC Official

If I'm told it's for a medical reason, they can play. Not a battle I'm going to fight with respect to having "proper documentation." Let the state deal with it after the game.

If it's truly for a medical reason, then the team/player won't have any problem getting an exemption from the state authority. Until that is granted, I, as the Referee, cannot allow the kid to participate BY RULE.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

If it's truly for a medical reason, then the team/player won't have any problem getting an exemption from the state authority. Until that is granted, I, as the Referee, cannot allow the kid to participate BY RULE.

Devil's advocate here. Are there equipment color restrictions on medical devices such as eyeglasses, band aids, athletic tape, ankle braces, hearing aids, or eye patches? Does the state high school interscholastic sports governing body have to make exceptions for these equipment items? Does an official need to see documentation for such exceptions?

[deecee]

[Facepalm Smiley Goes Here]

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Devil's advocate here. Are there equipment color restrictions on medical devices such as eyeglasses, band aids, athletic tape, ankle braces, hearing aids, or eye patches? Does the state high school interscholastic sports governing body have to make exceptions for these equipment items? Does an official need to see documentation for such exceptions?

Really Billy? The concern should be whether or not the equipment is allowed by your state, not what color it is.

[SC Official]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

If it's truly for a medical reason, then the team/player won't have any problem getting an exemption from the state authority. Until that is granted, I, as the Referee, cannot allow the kid to participate BY RULE.

If that's the way that works for you or the way it's expected from your assigner/association, great. Here, the expectation for things like this (which pose zero safety issues whatsoever) is to play along and write a report afterwards. If they didn't cross every T and dot every I, the state can issue the disciplinary action.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

If it's truly for a medical reason, then the team/player won't have any problem getting an exemption from the state authority. Until that is granted, I, as the Referee, cannot allow the kid to participate BY RULE.

We were told these were not appropriate for basketball. Similar to a player wearing a cast which is for medical reasons. I think that is why each state has to make their own decision here. I cannot think of any reason why this would be required for medical reasons. If you have a concussion, this is not likely going to help you prevent that considering how concussions actually work. If that was the case than football helmets would prevent concussions.

Peace

[so cal lurker]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

If you have a concussion, this is not likely going to help you prevent that considering how concussions actually work. e

I suspect this is correct. I believe there have been studies on similar types of equipment in soccer that found no benefit. (That did not stop one state from mandating them in HS for a period of time.) There may be players who have a legitimate medical reason to where such headgear, but I doubt it is actually for concussions.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Well our state told us that these were illegal. I do not think the NF has directly addressed this situation.

Peace

Jeff:

I am going to use your comments as my jumping off point because I am surprised that Illinois would rule that it is illegal. That said...

In the "Ancient Days", the NBCofUS&Canada Rules Committee (now that NFHS and NCAA Men's/Women's Rules Committees) did make a ruling with regard to players and face masks to protect broken noses. We have all see the type of clear molded acrylic mask. The Rules Committee ruled that these types of masks were legal, but what the Rules Committee did say was that a football helmet face mask could not be worn instead of the molded mask.

Let us now jump ahead to the present time. I officiated H.S. (NFHS Rules) soccer only but did not officiate travel soccer (USSF, now USA Soccer Rules) from 1993 to 2005. Concussions started to be discussed around the turn of the century Full 90 produced its first type of head piece for soccer players. The head piece was made of a soft material like this one but was not initially ruled legal because soccer players used their heads to strike the ball (gee, I wonder why a soccer player would get a concussion). I personally, thought that it was a no brainer for it to be legal, but what do I know.

Mark, Jr., and I have officiated Special Olympics basketball games on a number of occasions in which a player has worn the Full 90 head gear and I have never given it a second thought. In fact we have officiated a boys' basketball game in which one of the players wore an insulin pump as well as a girls' fast pitch softball tournament in which one of the participants also wore and insulin pump.

I just do not see how this product can be ruled illegal and if it is legal I do not believe it should be subject to the color restrictions. Just my two cents.

MTD, Sr.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

Jeff:

I am going to use your comments as my jumping off point because I am surprised that Illinois would rule that it is illegal. That said...

In the "Ancient Days", the NBCofUS&Canada Rules Committee (now that NFHS and NCAA Men's/Women's Rules Committees) did make a ruling with regard to players and face masks to protect broken noses. We have all see the type of clear molded acrylic mask. The Rules Committee ruled that these types of masks were legal, but what the Rules Committee did say was that a football helmet face mask could not be worn instead of the molded mask.

Let us now jump ahead to the present time. I officiated H.S. (NFHS Rules) soccer only but did officiate not travel soccer (USSF, now USA Soccer Rules) from 1993 to 2005. Concussions started to be discussed around the turn of the century Full 90 produced its first type of head piece for soccer players. The head piece was made of a soft material like this one but was not initially ruled legal because soccer players used their heads to strike the ball (gee, I wonder why a soccer player would get a concussion). I personally, thought that it was a no brainer for it to be legal, but what do I know.

Mark, Jr., and I have officiated Special Olympics basketball games on a number of occasions in which a player has worn the Full 90 head gear and I have never given it a second thought. In fact we have officiated a boys' basketball game in which one of the players wore an insulin pump as well as a girls' fast pitch softball tournament in which one of the participants also wore and insulin pump.

I just do not see how this product can be ruled illegal and if it is legal I do not believe it should be subject to the color restrictions. Just my two cents.

MTD, Sr.

Mark their justification was simple. They did not have any scientific evidence these things worked and did not fit any appropriate basketball usage. They did something similar with some covers on helmets. Now why would that surprise anyone? The NF has not even addressed this publicly. I am sure the NF is also leery of these things and probably why they have not approved them nationally. And basketball is a contact sport that the things you have on will likely strike another player. Those things are different than what is allowed in sports like baseball or softball where there is almost no contact in the game.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I cannot think of any reason why this would be required for medical reasons.

Originally Posted by john5396

I fully expect that gear manufacturers are using the science to reduce injuries even if they will never prevent all injuries.

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Is there any evidence that these things actually prevent any injury?

Originally Posted by so cal lurker

There may be players who have a legitimate medical reason to wear such headgear.

Originally Posted by JRutledge

They did not have any scientific evidence these things worked

What many of us are calling "concussion preventing headbands" are not actually called that because they don't actually reduce, or prevent, concussions (as many Forum members have correctly pointed out), and are no longer marketed that way.

But there is evidence that this type of headband can actually prevent some injuries. Medical professionals agree that such headgear is suitable for preventing fractures, lacerations, and bleeding.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

But there is evidence that this type of headband can actually prevent some injuries. Medical professionals agree that such headgear is suitable for preventing fractures, lacerations, and bleeding.

OK, then why has the NF or the NCAA allowed such things to be used?

Peace