Rules Interpretation Meeting--Bicep Bands

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by Daryl H. Long

My rule book does not list biceps bands as being authorized equipment or apparel. Not on the list equals illegal to wear at any time.

Sneakers are illegal now, too?!?!?!

[Smitty]

We just had our rules interpretation meeting last night in Portland, OR. We were told for our association, we will allow the players to wear nothing on the arm above the elbow, unless it's for a specific medical purpose. The described bicep bands in this thread are illegal for our area. I was happy to hear that.

[Jimgolf]

Originally Posted by Smitty

I was happy to hear that.

Why???????

[Smitty]

Because it makes it more black and white for me...less gray. I don't have to worry about what a bicep band is. If anything is worn above the elbow, I tell the kid to move it down below the elbow or don't play. Makes my job much easier.

[Daryl H. Long]

Originally Posted by Smitty

Because it makes it more black and white for me...less gray. I don't have to worry about what a bicep band is. If anything is worn above the elbow, I tell the kid to move it down below the elbow or don't play. Makes my job much easier.

The ironic thing is I can have a cast from my shoulder down to top of my elbow and cover it with pading and be legal yet a 2" wide cloth non abrasive band worn above my elbow to prevent sweat from getting in the elbow crease which bothers my shot is illegal. If fact it is of such a major concern that it is a point of emphasis.

Its black and white but as for logic: go figure.

[Smitty]

I'm pretty sure it's not about function or safety - it's about the uniformity, if you will, of the uniform. They appear to not want any individual player to dress in a certain way that is showy or "bigger than the game". I would argue that the vast majority of kids who wear sweatbands on their upper arm do so as a fashion statement, not as a functional piece of equipment.

[Daryl H. Long]

Originally Posted by Smitty

I'm pretty sure it's not about function or safety - it's about the uniformity, if you will, of the uniform. They appear to not want any individual player to dress in a certain way that is showy or "bigger than the game". I would argue that the vast majority of kids who wear sweatbands on their upper arm do so as a fashion statement, not as a functional piece of equipment.

Given that statement the baggy shorts popularized by the Fab 5 at Michigan should have been declared illegal. Most teams who adopted that style (fashion) if that is the word you prefer did so out of how it looked, not functionality. Why not illegal? Because it met the 3 criteria a referee must use to determine legal/ilegal equipment. This is NF criteria, not mine.

1. Nothing in their nature was inherantly dangerous
2. Not unnatural or designed to create an advantage.
3. Appropriate to basketball and not confusing.

Which of those 3 causes a sweatband on the upper arm to be deemed illegal?

[Daryl H. Long]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

Sneakers are illegal now, too?!?!?!

I apreciate the humor. Wish I knew how to use smilies.

when I said not on list equal illegal I was being sarcastic. In the past NF has made interpretaions and their rationale was that the item in question was not part of the approved list of legal apparrel ar actions allowable.

Yet in the casebook 3.5 Sistuation A ruling they state: "It will be noted that the listing of equipment which is always illegal is not inclusive." That means there are more illegal items than on the list.

They try to have it both ways (Allowed because not specifically prohibited vs prohibited because not specifially allowed). Which one to apply to a specific item is totally to their person whims.