hockey mask

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally posted by John Schaefferkoetter
Could you tell me if a plastic hockey mask would be legal or would it need to be padded in some way? A team is trying to protect a players mouth.

John, see the explanation in case book play 3.5SitA. They have a good desciption in there on what the FED's feelings are:

"The third criterion provided that equipment used must be appropriate for basketball and not be confusing. In this sense, gloves, football face masks and helmets are not acceptable. A protector for a broken nose, even though it is made of hard material, is permissible if it does not extend so as to endanger others, if it is not sharp and has no cutting edges."

Going by that, I'd say that hockey masks are an absolute no-no. That case book play also says that "In the case of headwear for medical... reasons, the state association may approve upon proper documentation as in 3-5-2Exception1". Iow, tell 'em to get a letter from your state governing body and don't let 'em wear it until you see one.

[Edited by Jurassic Referee on Dec 12th, 2005 at 02:58 PM]