Changing to an illegal number
 

Player A1's jersey must be changed due to damage or blood. I know that we can allow the player to change to a different number, even if it means changing the book, without penalty.

What if the only jersey available has an illegal number? Can we let the player wear an illegal jersey?

Yes he can play. But the penalty, in NFHS, is a direct T on the head coach.

Agree with SC. I would look at this as a choice the coach has to make.

The spirit and intent of the jersey replacement rule in this case is to do everything possible to let the player participate (even to the extent of some jersey color/style differences), but I believe there is a caveat that the jersey must otherwise be legal (number, logos, naming conventions, etc.). I'd have to reread the case play to be certain.

Why would the team/coach have a jersey with an illegal number available?

Could be an old or practice uniform.

Some people just can’t have nice things. Or that’s what my wife tells me.

I've always wondered by old or practice uniforms would have illegal numbers. With the exception of making 1 and 2 legal several years back, there haven't been changes in the number rules in a LONG time. Why would anyone have ordered illegal numbers to start with?

A T? No chance. Spirit/intent trump an illegal number. Besides, just throw tape over whatever number to make it legal. Turn it inside out. Grab a T-shirt from someone's bag. Get an item from the lost and found. Do whatever but not a T.

Had a season-opener at a middle school several years ago. Uniform numbers were 1-15, inclusive. Coach was not happy about it.

"Our principal ordered them. He had no clue. He's a hockey guy."