What is the penalty?

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally posted by Jurassic Referee

Here we go again. For the umpteenth time!

Mark, please quote a rule, casebook play, or anything that will back this statement up. It is simply not true, but is just your interpretation only. The official can have a player in the game simply remove the jewelry, without leaving the game, if it doesn't take up too much time. See NFHS casebook play 3.5.5SitA. That play refers to a player wearing jewelry who has already been beckoned and has entered the court. It says- "No penalty is involved. A6 cannot simply participate until the illegal items are removed". Note that it specifically does not say that the player must leave the game and be substituted for.

JR:

Read the Casebook Play again. It refers to a substitute who wants to enter the game. NFHS R3-S5-A6 specifically prohibits the wearing of jewelry. An official cannot make a player remove prohibited equipment. When a player is found to be wearing jewelry while in the game, the player must leave the game until the prohibited equipment is removed. A player who is wearing jewelry while playing has forfeited his/her privilege to play in the game until the player becomes legal.

The real problem is that many coaches get upset when officials make a player leave the game for wearing jewelry until the player is legal and there are too many officials do not want to do the correct thing and have the player sit until he/she is legal because they do not want to deal with an irrational coach.