Rules Interpretation Meeting--Bicep Bands

[Nevadaref]

If what you call a "bicep band" is a form of a sweatband, then I would have to disagree with the Illinois interpreter.

Page 26 of the 2006-07 NFHS Rules Book
3-5-3c
"Sweatbands must be worn below the elbow and may be a maximum of 4 inches (except for logo, see 3-6)."

That is what we will be following in Nevada.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

If what you call a "bicep band" is a form of a sweatband, then I would have to disagree with the Illinois interpreter.

Page 26 of the 2006-07 NFHS Rules Book
3-5-3c
"Sweatbands must be worn below the elbow and may be a maximum of 4 inches (except for logo, see 3-6)."

That is what we will be following in Nevada.

I am just passing along what we were told. Whether you (me or anyone for that matter) disagree or not is not the issue. The point is we were told specifically bicep bands were legal and the football ruling was also referenced. So there must have been a conversation with someone somewhere that would give this ruling. No one asked the question about this issue. This was apart of the comments from the Rules Interpreter.

Peace

[falsecut]

This is the specific ruling that the Illinois governing body issued for football. Nothing has been posted on the official web site for this in basketball in writing yet. The football ruling appeared a couple of weeks into the season.

"Since sweatbands (wristbands) are not to be in excess of three inches in length above the wrist, what about the forearm bands the players are wearing with their pads? Is this type of band considered legal?
Ruling The new forearm bands are made to be worn below the bicep and above the elbow and would be legal. It would not be acceptable to have a wristband above the elbow as they are made to be worn at the wrist. (September 11, 2006)"

BTW, you can't mix the two items up. It's pretty obvious when you see them that a sweatband for the wrist is not the same as a bicep band. Bicep bands tend to only be 1/2 inch wide, if that.

http://images.sportsline.com/u/photo...img9723496.jpg

With any luck, this will come out and you can view the picture.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by falsecut

This is the specific ruling that the Illinois governing body issued for football. Nothing has been posted on the official web site for this in basketball in writing yet. The football ruling appeared a couple of weeks into the season.

"Since sweatbands (wristbands) are not to be in excess of three inches in length above the wrist, what about the forearm bands the players are wearing with their pads? Is this type of band considered legal?
Ruling The new forearm bands are made to be worn below the bicep and above the elbow and would be legal. It would not be acceptable to have a wristband above the elbow as they are made to be worn at the wrist. (September 11, 2006)"

BTW, you can't mix the two items up. It's pretty obvious when you see them that a sweatband for the wrist is not the same as a bicep band. Bicep bands tend to only be 1/2 inch wide, if that.

http://images.sportsline.com/u/photo...img9723496.jpg

With any luck, this will come out and you can view the picture.

I always thought the forearm was the part between the elbow and the wrist.

[REFVA]

As promised I asked the question about the Bicep bands,? the answer was not allowed anything above the elbow, no questioned asked. I asked this question of the Virginia High school commissioner.

As for Dwayne Wade tights, Not allowed anything below the knee would not be allowed.

Again this came right out of the Virginia commissioner's mouth..

[JRutledge]

This is the interpretation in writing from the IHSA Rulings listed on each official's personal web page (not available to the public).

2) Are bicep bands legal equipment?

As was discussed at this year’s basketball rules interpretation meetings, wristbands can not be worn above the elbow. Officials should not allow players to wear a wristband above the elbow. Officials should also not allow players to wear bicep bands that are similar in nature to wristbands. ‘Bicep bands’ that are made of the same moisture-absorbing, nonabrasive material as wristbands are not allowed. Only those ‘bicep bands’ that are of a rubbery, ‘neoprene’ material are allowed.

Peace

[Nevadaref]

That is a sensible ruling. Thanks for sharing Rut.

I don't have the same thoughts on this issue, but I'm not in charge.

FWIW, (nearly zilch) I would have ruled that bicep bands are only legal for a medical reason with a written note from the doctor available at the game site.

Otherwise, we have to worry about the same issues with the bicep bands that the NFHS is trying to stamp out with the new regulations on the sweatbands. For example, do bicep bands have any color restrictions?

[RookieDude]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

This is the interpretation in writing from the IHSA Rulings listed on each official's personal web page (not available to the public).

2) Are bicep bands legal equipment?

As was discussed at this year’s basketball rules interpretation meetings, wristbands can not be worn above the elbow. Officials should not allow players to wear a wristband above the elbow. Officials should also not allow players to wear bicep bands that are similar in nature to wristbands. ‘Bicep bands’ that are made of the same moisture-absorbing, nonabrasive material as wristbands are not allowed. Only those ‘bicep bands’ that are of a rubbery, ‘neoprene’ material are allowed.

Peace

As stated before...in WA, if a player wants to wear a bicep band...he/she must tape it.

[Daryl H. Long]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

This is the interpretation in writing from the IHSA Rulings listed on each official's personal web page (not available to the public).

2) Are bicep bands legal equipment?

As was discussed at this year’s basketball rules interpretation meetings, wristbands can not be worn above the elbow. Officials should not allow players to wear a wristband above the elbow. Officials should also not allow players to wear bicep bands that are similar in nature to wristbands. ‘Bicep bands’ that are made of the same moisture-absorbing, nonabrasive material as wristbands are not allowed. Only those ‘bicep bands’ that are of a rubbery, ‘neoprene’ material are allowed.

Peace

So, if NIKE packages a 2" wide band made of moisture absorbing non-abrasive material with Biceps Bands printed plainly on the package you are going to tell the player it's not and NIKE doesn't know what is talking about?

And who said biceps bands could only be made of neoprene?

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I am just passing along what we were told. Whether you (me or anyone for that matter) disagree or not is not the issue. The point is we were told specifically bicep bands were legal and the football ruling was also referenced. So there must have been a conversation with someone somewhere that would give this ruling. No one asked the question about this issue. This was apart of the comments from the Rules Interpreter.

Very true, Rut, and you have to do what the people in charge of this in your state tell you to do.

As for the picture that falsecut provided:


In the opinion of this referee those are sweatbands and are not legal to be worn in that location (in MY state ).

[Jurassic Referee]

How anybody could rule that bicep bands are anything but sweat bands, I'll never figure out.

http://loadedbases.stores.yahoo.net/nikebicepband.html

These meet all of the criteria of sweatbands in rule 3-5-3(a)-- i.e. soft, moisture-absorbing and non-abrasive. You also sureasheck couldn't legalize them imo by calling them some kinda brace or guard either- not unless they actually gave some kind of support or protection.

But.....if an individual state says that they're OK to wear, then that's the end of the story. Locally, same as Nevada, no way we're gonna allow 'em until somebody tells us that they're OK.

Is Illinois also gonna allow a piece of cloth to be tied around the bicep a la Rambo too?

[REFVA]

http://loadedbases.stores.yahoo.net/nikebicepband.html

If you go back to this link and select the various wristbands, head bands and bicep bands, they all vary in the width. The Bicep band is 3/4 of inch wide, where as the wrist and forearm bands are 2 1/2 inches and wider. That would be my distinction.. IMO,
P.S. I have my state meeting Monday night and will get a clarification and will let everyone know on Tuesday.