Hair Control Devices and Headbands
 

I remember we had a discussion here a while back about hair control devices and headbands. Interestingly, our Washington State Official's office was getting so many questions about it that they e-mailed out this clarification today to our state's assignors.

Hair-Control Devices and Headbands Clarified (11/16/06)

There have been numerous questions recently relating to the legality of certain hair-control devices. Players may wear rubber bands, scrunchies, pre wrap and narrow, multi-colored elastic bands to hold their hair back (3-5-3d). These items are not considered headbands (3-5-3a) and therefore do not fall under the new headband rule. These items do not have to be the same color as the uniform or white, they can be of any color, they do not have to be a single color and they are not subject to the logo restrictions in 3-6.

Further, a ribbon worn in addition to a hair-control device is considered to be a head decoration, and is prohibited (3-5-3e). If a ribbon is being worn as a hair-control device, it would be permitted provided it is not judged to be dangerous or inappropriate by the referee (3-5-1).

NCAA Clarified Also
 

11/9/06 Headbands/Hair-Control Devices
Interpretation: The following interpretation was issued on January 11, 2006 as part of the Women’s Basketball Coordinators of Officials Teleconference Minutes; it will be applied again this season. The Rules Committee will review the rules pertaining to headbands and hair-control devices at its May rules meeting.
1/11/06: “Players may wear pre wrap to hold their hair back, rubber bands, scrunchies and thin elastic pieces that also hold their hair back. They do not have to be the same color as the uniform. They are not considered head bands and therefore do not fall under the rule. They can be of any color and they do not have to be a single color.”
11/9/06: In addition, these items are not subject to logo restrictions.
__________________________________________________ _____________________________

We just got this clarification from Debbie Williamson. This goes along with this Ncaa bulletion:

I read the title and thought this was discussing hair control for officials. I was interested in hair spray tips, though everyone that knows me would wonder why the hell I care!

What guidelines do other associations, chapters, and officials abide by when considering the use of ribbon to tie the hair back. Examples below:

1) Player has hair tied with a rubber-band/elastic tie and has ribbon tied over the other device.

2) Player has hair tied with ONLY the ribbon. There is no other device.

3) Do you use the ribbon being "tied into a bow" as a qualifying factor?

There has been a lot of debate about this in our area, and many of us have gone to not allowing ribbon of any kind to be used in tieing back the hair. Thoughts?

None of those is allowed.

The "clarification" in original post came from Mary Struckhoff of the NFHS and was sent to all State Basketball Administrators around the nation with the following note:

Basketball Administrator,

Please find attached a clarification regarding the wearing of hair-control devices. Feel free to pass this information along to constituents within your state. This item will also be posted on the NFHS Website.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions.

Mary

Mary Struckhoff
NFHS Assistant Director
Basketball Rules Editor/National Interpreter

Hair-Control Devices and Headbands Clarified (11/16/06)

There have been numerous questions recently relating to the legality of certain hair-control devices. Players may wear rubber bands, scrunchies, pre wrap and narrow, multi-colored elastic bands to hold their hair back (3-5-3d). These items are not considered headbands (3-5-3a) and therefore do not fall under the new headband rule. These items do not have to be the same color as the uniform or white, they can be of any color, they do not have to be a single color and they are not subject to the logo restrictions in 3-6.

Further, a ribbon worn in addition to a hair-control device is considered to be a head decoration, and is prohibited (3-5-3e). If a ribbon is being worn as a hair-control device, it would be permitted provided it is not judged to be dangerous or inappropriate by the referee (3-5-1).

From this guideline, the description given in "2) Player has hair tied with ONLY the ribbon. There is no other device." should be allowed unless the referee judged it to be dangerous or inappropriate.

I think this clarification statement will clear up a lot of confusion in interpretation and enforcement. We've made a mountain out of this molehill!

Thank you, Rusty! BIG help, and it will be used today!

In our locale, ribbons are never appropriate hair control devices - they are considered to be a danger for eye lacerations during rebounding (tied into a bow, trailing edges, etc.). I don't recall ever seeing a ribbon used as the ONLY hair restraint, but would have to require it to be removed anyway - surely a teammate will have an extra elastic band.