Tattoos?

[armymanjones]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Equipment and apparel are not tattoos. You cannot just put them on or take them off as you wish (at least the permanent kind). If that is the case then hairstyles would be subject to this rule.

Peace

How about NFHS rule 2-3??

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by armymanjones

How about NFHS rule 2-3??

I'm thinking about have that tattoo'd to my forehead.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by armymanjones

How about NFHS rule 2-3??

You can do whatever you like, but that would make you a plumber in my opinion and there is a reason the NF got rid of this rule and a reason the NCAA has not produced one at all from my recollection. And if you are working with me and that is something you are going to make a big deal with, you will be doing it by yourself.

Peace

[armymanjones]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

You can do whatever you like, but that would make you a plumber in my opinion and there is a reason the NF got rid of this rule and a reason the NCAA has not produced one at all from my recollection. And if you are working with me and that is something you are going to make a big deal with, you will be doing it by yourself.

Peace

Come on JR lighten up. I work within the rules. In absent of a rule you tell me what you would do?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by armymanjones

Come on JR lighten up. I work within the rules. In absent of a rule you tell me what you would do?

I think you are the person that needs to lighten up. You did not tell a joke and nothing you said was funny. I am telling you that your logic is a stretch. I already know what the NF felt, because they got rid of the rule because it was impossible to enforce without causing a lot of problems. This was a rule that was tried in football and baseball as well and all sports got rid of this rule (I would not be surprised if soccer and volleyball as an example had similar rules). If you did not understand what I would do by previous posts, I would do nothing just like I did when the rule was in place. I am not looking for tattoos and I am not looking to see what is on them. If something is offensive in any way, it better be brought to my attention and even then what is the remedy? You cannot make them take their skin off. I do not have a laser gun in the bag. I am definitely not going to stop a kid from playing. This is an issue for the schools and their parents. Let the school get sued for this, I am staying out of it. And if I worked with a partner like you that wanted this called, you would be the only one going out of their way to enforce it.

Peace

[deecee]

I, and I like to think many, dont go loooking to police any more BS than we have to. I think the whistle and snazzy stripes we wear give some officials a power trip and they think that they can do or say anything on the court. Just officiate the damn game and dont go looking for a reason to throw your weight around when not necessary. Many of the rules if you really break them down you might be able to come up with some really retarded stuff.

in absent of a rule I use something called judgement -- if it makes sense, isnt harmful, doesnt give advantage -- but rulebooks cannot teach you judgement.

[Adam]

I'm not Jeff, and I've never played one on TV, but absent a rule, you leave it alone.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by armymanjones

I work within the rules. In absent of a rule you tell me what you would do?

He's already told you.

There's no rule governing tattoos. That means that you've got nothing to enforce. JRut also gave you the reason why.....so officials wouldn't be able to try to impose their own standards.

Iow, don't worry about tats.

[armymanjones]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

He's already told you.

There's no rule governing tattoos. That means that you've got nothing to enforce. JRut also gave you the reason why.....so officials wouldn't be able to try to impose their own standards.

Iow, don't worry about tats.

You guys are really uptight. I am going to get ready for my games but if you think the only things you have to ever worry about is covered in the rule books you are mistaken.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by armymanjones

You guys are really uptight. I am going to get ready for my games but if you think the only things you have to ever worry about is covered in the rule books you are mistaken.

He's saying don't worry, and you're calling him up-tight? THis must be some new slang definition of up-tight that i"ve never heard before.

[armymanjones]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

He's saying don't worry, and you're calling him up-tight? THis must be some new slang definition of up-tight that i"ve never heard before.

I apologize for the up-tight comment but what I meant was that in absence of rules you may have to make a decision. If someone is wearing a tatoo that I know is offensive ie to race or gender, I would have it covered or the kid would not play. You can look it up and may not find a rule but I would consider it unsportsmanlike.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

He's saying don't worry, and you're calling him up-tight? THis must be some new slang definition of up-tight that i"ve never heard before.

LOL!!!!

My point exactly.

Peace

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by armymanjones

You guys are really uptight. I am going to get ready for my games but if you think the only things you have to ever worry about is covered in the rule books you are mistaken.

There's a big difference between being "uptight" and knowing how a situation should be called. If you don't like the answers that you get here, fine. Basically, none of us really gives a damn anyway. But don't try to rationalize away the fact that no one agrees with you by assuming people that you have never known or met are "uptight".

[BillyMac]

I'm just curious. If there ever was any NFHS rule pertaining to offensive or vulgar tattoos, as mentioned in this thread, and if such a rule was repealed, can any Forum member look through their old rule books and find the exact citation, wording, etc. and any followup wording when the rule, if it existed, was repealed ? I do vaguely remember such a rule.

I've only been keeping my old rule books for about ten years. I wish that I had kept all twenty-six of them. Thanks.

[BillyMac]

Here's what I discovered about NFHS rules regarding tattoos:

1996-97 NFHS Basketball Rule Book, page 70, Points of Emphasis: Permanent tattoos pose problems if they are objectionable for one reason or another. School administrators and/or coaches have an obligation to have objectionable markings of a permanent type covered. It is not in the best interest of the game to have officials placed in a position where from game to game they must rule on what is objectionable. Obviously, officials can and will make these decisions when outright vulgarity or obsenity is involved or when such markings violate sportmanship and/or taunting or baiting regulations.

I don't recall if this Point of Emphasis was changed in any way in later Rule Book editions.