I have a question concerning the wear of wristbands. It is a widely accepted practice in the association that I belong that we do not allow players to wear wristbands above the elbow. Often times the players at the start of the game will come out with wristbands worn on their upper arms or biceps, emulating the players in the NBA. As a result, each game I am telling players to pull their wristbands down during the pregame warmups. I have looked in the Federation manual and NCAA rule book and I have yet to fine rule support for this. I brought it up with my rules interpeter of my association, and I have been told that it falls into the category of jewelry. Somehow, that does not sit well with me, because if wristbands were jewlery, then they would not be allowed at all. Could someone chime in and set me straight as to where to find the rule support for this situation.

NFHS rule 3-5-3--<i>"Equipment shall not be modified from the original manufactured state <b>and shall be worn in the manner the manufacturer intended it to be worn</b>"</i>. Iow, if it's a wristband, it better be on the wrist.

What if it's just called a sweatband?

Then it better be worn on his <u>sweat</u>-er.

How do we judge manufacturer's intent? I mean to us old fuddies it would seem obvious, but it has become an accepted practice to wear them this way, and I am not sure if the manufacturer's intent is for them to be worn that way...After all the rule book does speak of sweatbands and not wristbands. I am just playing a litle bit of devil's advocate here, but do you not think the rules should be more specific regarding this situation.

Let the kids wear the sweatbands anywhere on their arms. All of these pieces of cloth are not made just for their wrists. Why are you worrying about this?

Peace

No.
It is what it is.
I am happy to not be worried about that.:cool:
mick

I'm disappointed.

I thought you would say "then he better be sweating".

The reason I am worrying about it, is because as I stated, it is the practice of the association that I belong. It is an effort of the association to be consistent. If I allow them to wear it and the next official doesn't that is not the type of consistency the association wishes to potray. I was just looking for rule support for telling them to pull them down, because as I said, I haven't found any.

You are not going to get specific rules support for something like this. You might get support if your association has a policy. I do not know how they can tell players where to wear these things. Unless the NF comes out and very specifically says these things can only be worn on the wrist, then I would leave it alone. You also cannot officiate a game with what others do. That can be a losing battle. If the officials the night before choose to not apply a rule properly, are you going to not apply that rule because they choose not to the night before? You have to do what you feel is best and what is going to be accepted or backed up by your assignor or evaluator. If you cannot get that kind of support, leave it alone. As mick said, the rule is fine with me and I do not need any more specifics to this rule, this has nothing to do with playing the game. Anytime there is an issue of a rule that does not affect the game, there better be more specifics than how you are applying this rule.

Peace

Thanks JRut...Now, that makes a lot more sense than what my association is telling me to include my assignor and rule interpeter... I appreciate you giving me the beneift of your wisdom and experience... this is the way I have felt and I hoped that others saw it the same. When someone of your prestige agrees... I think that I am doing something right....Thanks, again

Can't agree that it's an "accepted practice". We tell our officials to make sure that bands made to go around the wrist actually are worn around the wrist- and nowhere else. Wear 'em up on the bicep and they become an adornment. Similarly, a sweat band made to go around the forehead is not gonna be allowed to be worn around the neck. The rule is explicit enough for us the way it is written, and I had a member of the NFHS rules committee confirm to me that the purpose and intent of the rule was exactly as we had interpreted it. I think that what you need is for your local supervisor/assignor/rules interpreter/etc. to tell you what <b>he</b> expects- to make sure all of the officials in your area are on the same page.

Of course, if you want to ignore a plainly written rule because you don't agree with it, hey, be my guest.

[Edited by Jurassic Referee on Apr 29th, 2005 at 04:21 PM]

The only exception I allow to the wristband rule is to let coaches wear them across their mouths.

I thought the ban on headbands around the neck was to prevent little Johnny from somehow strangling little Billy.

I thought the ban on headbands around the neck was to prevent little Johnny from somehow strangling little Billy. [/B][/QUOTE]What ban? From what I read above, it's OK to wear 'em where you want to- around the neck, the waist, the dexter..... :rolleyes: