Almost Cut My Hair (Crosby, Stills, Nash And Young, 1970) …

[BillyMac]

I'm updated my list of The Most Misunderstood NFHS Basketball Rules.

Does this year's change ...

Hair control devices and adornments made of hard material (such as, but not limited to, barrettes, bobby pins, and beads) of any color are permitted provided they are securely fastened close to the head and do not present an increased risk to the player, teammates, or opponents.

... impact anything in last year's change?

Players are permitted to wear head coverings for religious reasons without obtaining state association approval. The head covering shall not be made of abrasive or hard materials and must be attached so that it is highly unlikely to come off during play.

I can't come up with any real life examples of how the rule language in these two rule changes impact each other, but was just wondering.

How about a kaffiyeh, taqiyah, shemaghnoun, hijab, or ghutra held in place with a wooden hoop?



Or a yarmulke made of hard plastic?

Yeah, I'm know that I'm pushing the limits of rational thought here, but I was just wondering.

"Hard" was always illegal, now it's sometimes legal.

[BillyMac]

I came up with a more realistic example.

Religious head covering? Yes.

Hard beads close to the head? No

What if the beads were closer to the head?

[JRutledge]

Is this really an issue? I have never once had this come up in any game I have ever worked but the long sleeves and no one cared. You cannot go to your people and ask?

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Is this really an issue? I have never once had this come up in any game I have ever worked ...

No it's not.

As I've already stated, I'm updating my list of The Most Misunderstood NFHS Basketball Rules (and I'm actually presenting the list to a group of Christian school league coaches and game officials in a few weeks).

Not only I am updating the list with the new 2022-23 rule regarding hard hair control devices and adornments, but I just realized that I failed to update last year's list with the 2021-22 religious head covering change.

While updating both changes to the list, I stumbled over the word "hard".

I'm know that I'm pushing the limits of "real game" situations, but I was just concerned about my wording on the list in regard to both rule changes.

Originally Posted by JRutledge

... long sleeves and no one cared.

Of course no one cared because long sleeves, on jerseys and/or on undershirts, have always been legal.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I'm actually presenting (The Most Misunderstood NFHS Basketball Rules) to a group of Christian school league coaches and game officials in a few weeks.

I plan to start the presentation with an opening prayer:

Basketball Official’s Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the privilege of officiating basketball games.
Protect us from injury and help us to be quick and agile on our feet.
Give us Your wisdom and guidance as we make decisions.
May we officiate with honor and integrity, representing You well.
May we trust in Your guidance and know that You are with us always.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Of course no one cared because long sleeves, on jerseys and/or on undershirts, have always been legal.

What if the long sleeves do not match the color of the jersey? Still legal by "rule?"

BTW, this happened before they changed the rule basically not caring what someone wears when they are following their religious expression. But at the time this was not addressed. Many people did not want to get involved. My state specifically had to issue a statement that this was not to be penalized. A few years later the NF officially made that their position. Again, no one was trying to die on that hill.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

What if the long sleeves do not match the color of the jersey? Still legal by "rule?"

Exceptions to not allow long sleeves could include color, frayed edges, unequal length, and/or illegal logos.

Bottom line, as long as I've been officiating, long sleeves on high school jerseys and undershirts have been legal (assuming nothing else is illegal).

Originally Posted by JRutledge

A few years later the NF officially made that their position.

JRutledge may be correct. I don't remember it that way, but I've forgotten a lot of things over forty-plus years.

Maybe it (long sleeves) was a case of if it's not illegal, it's legal?

I honestly don't remember the NFHS ever saying anything about long sleeves being illegal.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I'm updating my list of The Most Misunderstood NFHS Basketball Rules ... Not only I am updating the list with the new 2022-23 rule regarding hard hair control devices and adornments, but I just realized that I failed to update last year's list with the 2021-22 religious head covering change. While updating both changes to the list, I stumbled over the word "hard" ... concerned about my wording on the list in regard to both rule changes.

Here's my updated "Fashion Police" section.

Notice how I cleverly avoided saying anything about "hard" religious head coverings.

"The things I did not say never hurt me." (Calvin Coolidge)

Players may not participate or even warm up while wearing jewelry. Medical alert medals and religious medals are not considered jewelry. A medical alert medal must be taped, and may be visible. A religious medal must be taped, and worn under the uniform. Players are permitted to wear head coverings for religious reasons.

Undershirts must be similar in color to the uniform jersey, and shall 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 when worn. Players are required to tuck in jerseys that are designed to be tucked inside the shorts.

Headbands, wristbands, arm sleeves, knee sleeves, lower leg sleeves, compression shorts, and tights, shall be the solid color black, white, beige, or the predominant color of the jersey. All of these items shall be the same color as worn by each player. Additionally, all of these items shall be the same color for all members of a team who choose to wear them. Anything worn on the arm, and/or the leg (except a knee brace), is defined as a sleeve, including knee pads, and elbow pads, and must be the solid color black, white, beige, or the predominant color of the uniform jersey. Only a single headband may be worn on the head, and headbands are not allowed to have extensions or tails. Wearing pre-wrap tied in the back as a headband is legal provided it meets all the guidelines for a headband. Only one moisture absorbing wristband is permitted on each wrist, and each wristband must be worn on the arm below the elbow. One visible manufacturer’s logo or school logo is permitted on wristbands, headband, compression shorts, undershirts, and arm and leg compression sleeves. The size must be limited to 2¼ square inches.

Rubber, cloth, or elastic bands, of any color may be used to control hair. Hair control devices and adornments made of hard material (such as, but not limited to, barrettes, bobby pins, and beads) of any color are permitted provided they are securely fastened close to the head and do not present an increased risk to the player, teammates, or opponents. Headbands go around the entire head (and must be the solid color black, white, beige, or the predominant color of the uniform jersey), while hair control devices only go around hair and are under no color restrictions.