Long Hair

[bob jenkins]

A girl ( well, it could be a boy) has very long braided hair. It reaches down past the waist of her shorts. The hair is just braided / knotted -- there are no beads in it (a couple of years ago, language was added to address beads). What options, if any, does the official have?

If the scorer says the hair makes it hard to see the number, can the official ask the girl to place the hair inside her jersey? Can the official decide that the swingign hair is a danger and ask that it be tied / wrapped or put in the jersey? Is this just a general " poses a danger" guideline that we use for long fingernails, for example?

NFHS and NCAAW references, if possible, please

[BillyMac]

Safety Concerns 3-7: The referee must not permit any team member to participate if in his/her judgment any item constitutes a safety concern, such as, but not limited to, a player’s fingernails or hairstyle.

I had a concern this past week, boy, braids, medium length, no beads, but each braid ended with "hair knots". Braids swung around, but not enough to pose a hazard, not even to himself. I let him play.

Then I started to ponder, what if the knotted (no beaded) braids were long enough (more likely with a girl) to pose a hazard to said player or an opponent?

Even without beads, we can still use 3-7.

Of course, one risks being labeled culturally insensitive, and showing up on the national media, but safety comes first.

Also had a girl with medium length braids with beads this past week. The beaded braids were not close to the head, but didn't appear long enough to create any safety problem.

Coach and I discussed and decided to use a few bobby pins (now legal) to successfully prevent the beaded braids from any swinging around.

I did not want to appear on any national media.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Safety Concerns 3-7: The referee must not permit any team member to participate if in his/her judgment any item constitutes a safety concern, such as, but not limited to, a player’s fingernails or hairstyle..

From where is that reference? The actual rule wording is slightly different and more generic.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

From where is that reference?

Sorry, old rule book.

2024-25 NFHS Rulebook:

Safety Concerns 3-7: The referee shall not permit any team member to participate if in the referee’s judgment any item constitutes a safety concern.

Purpose and intent?

Is hair an "item"?

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

I wish I had hair!

MTD, Sr.

[SNIPERBBB]

Tell the scooter to write long hair next to the players number and move on.

[Greer01]

It's always interesting to see how different leagues handle long hair rules. As long as it doesn't interfere with play or safety, it's generally acceptable, but the enforcement can vary.

[BillyMac]

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

NFHS R2-S11-A4 (and NCAA Men's and Women's R2-S9-A2): "Record the field goals made, the free throws made and missed, and keep a running summary of the points scored." This Rule means that it is not important for the Scorer to see "who" scored a FG because the Officials Score is the "running summary of the points scored."

MTD, Sr.