Beads in Hair

[Nevadaref]

I don't know of anything from the NFHS explicitly stating that beads in the hair must be considered unsafe and thus is illegal. Therefore, I believe that this item must fall under the following rule and it is up to referee's discretion. If the referee doesn't believe that the hair style constitutes a safety concern then the team member may play.

RULE 3, SECTION 7 SAFETY CONCERNS
The referee shall not permit any team member to participate if in his/her judgment, items such as a player's fingernails or hair style may constitute a safety concern.

I'm not saying that I don't believe that this is a safety issue or that I would allow the kid to play. What I would do doesn't matter. All I am saying is that JR, rainmaker, or myself can't make the determination that beads in the hair are always illegal. Only the NFHS or a state rules interpreter can do that. Otherwise the decision rests with the referee of that particular game.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

I don't know of anything from the NFHS explicitly stating that beads in the hair must be considered unsafe and thus is illegal. Therefore, I believe that this item must fall under the following rule and it is up to referee's discretion. If the referee doesn't believe that the hair style constitutes a safety concern then the team member may play.

RULE 3, SECTION 7 SAFETY CONCERNS
The referee shall not permit any team member to participate if in his/her judgment, items such as a player's fingernails or hair style may constitute a safety concern.

I'm not saying that I don't believe that this is a safety issue or that I would allow the kid to play. What I would do doesn't matter. All I am saying is that JR, rainmaker, or myself can't make the determination that beads in the hair are always illegal. Only the NFHS or a state rules interpreter can do that. Otherwise the decision rests with the referee of that particular game.

What part of rule 3-5-3(e) don't you understand?

"Head decorations, except those specified above, are prohibited."

And, yes, the FED did issue something explicitly on head beads. I'll dig it out the next time I'm in MTD Sr's attic.

[Mark Padgett]

I don't think anyone would feel really good about allowing this when this kid swings his head around and a bead hits another kid in the eye.

This is a no-brainer (which is why I understand it).

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

I don't know of anything from the NFHS explicitly stating that beads in the hair must be considered unsafe and thus is illegal. Therefore, I believe that this item must fall under the following rule and it is up to referee's discretion. If the referee doesn't believe that the hair style constitutes a safety concern then the team member may play.

RULE 3, SECTION 7 SAFETY CONCERNS
The referee shall not permit any team member to participate if in his/her judgment, items such as a player's fingernails or hair style may constitute a safety concern.

I'm not saying that I don't believe that this is a safety issue or that I would allow the kid to play. What I would do doesn't matter. All I am saying is that JR, rainmaker, or myself can't make the determination that beads in the hair are always illegal. Only the NFHS or a state rules interpreter can do that. Otherwise the decision rests with the referee of that particular game.

Your proclamations of what does and does not fall under a particular official's judgement vs what is mandated by rule is getting very tiresome by now.

We all realize that you read the rule book and spend too much time thinking about it. Give it a rest, OK?

[refnrev]

cropduster,
Your partner was wrong. This is different from similar color undershirts, sweatbands, bicep bands, etc. These things could get someone hurt and you in trouble. Tell Mr. Fashion the beads have to go.

[Nevadaref]

JR,
If the NFHS put out something on beads, then I missed it. If you find it, I would welcome seeing it.
You are probably right on this one. However, I do still have some question about how the beads are being used. Are they decorative or are they used to control the hair? Clearly head decorations are prohibited.
On the other hand, the NFHS just published a ruling on hair-control items.
To me this is a key part:

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).

This seems to say that items worn "as a hair-control device" are legal unless the referee deems them dangerous/confusing/inappropriate under his 3-5-1 authority.

Now I will note that all the items listed by the NFHS are soft (rubber bands, scrunchies, pre wrap and narrow, multi-colored elastic bands) and that beads are presumably hard. That fact could well be enough to require a referee to judge beads to be dangerous and thus illegal.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

JR,
Are they decorative or are they used to control the hair? Clearly head decorations are prohibited.
On the other hand, the NFHS just published a ruling on hair-control items.
To me this is a key part:

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).

This seems to say that items worn "as a hair-control device" are legal unless the referee deems them dangerous/confusing/inappropriate under his 3-5-1 authority.

Now I will note that all the items listed by the NFHS are soft (rubber bands, scrunchies, pre wrap and narrow, multi-colored elastic bands) and that beads are presumably hard. That fact could well be enough to require a referee to judge beads to be dangerous and thus illegal.

Are you serious, Nevada? Beads aren't headbands, sweatbands or elastic bands. They also sureashell aren't ribbons. It's that freaking simple. They're hard; they're dangerous; they're illegal.

You're trying to put a round peg in a square hole....and I don't have a clue why.

[JRutledge]

[QUOTE=Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

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).

This seems to say that items worn "as a hair-control device" are legal unless the referee deems them dangerous/confusing/inappropriate under his 3-5-1 authority.

Hair beads seem pretty dangerous to me (and the NF if you would have noticed their comments on the issue). Considering they are little hard plastic objects that if hitting someone in the eye or skin could cause some irritation.