I agree with the observer if this rubber "ban" was worn on your wrist, or if it were switched from pocket to pocket.

I lean toward letting the table crew do the job, with a "trust but verify" clause.

I've never tried this method....I'll try it tonight in my brand new pleated pants!

I learned it at the Ron Jeremy Basketball Officiating camp last summer.

I heartily recommend it.

Heartily, I tell ya!

My personal favorite is the rubber band on left or right wrist. My problem would be, trying to rembmer which team is which hand....

I use a small, flesh-colored rubber band on my index finger. I bought a bag of the rubber bands at an office supply store, and go through about 5-10 rubber bands each season. (Either get lost or break from the wear.)

When the arrow should go to the team in white jersey, the rubber band goes on my right hand's index finger (white - right).

When the arrow goes to the other team, then the rubber band goes on my left hand's index finger (all others - left).

In those rare instances when no one wears a white or a real light-colored jersey, then someone usually is red. (red - right)

Been doing this for many years. You never would notice it. I move it after the A-P throw-in ends and use that moment to check the table for its change of the arrow.

When a held-ball situation occurs, a brief "thumbing" of the index fingers tells me which team has the arrow.

Interestingly, I went without this for the first time 2 weeks ago (changed whistles just before the game; I keep the rubber band on the whistle and lanyard between games). Missed it greatly!

It's illegal for players to wear rubber bands, and we would never allow them to do so. Why would you wear something then that has already been specifically banned by the NFHS?

Would you let a player wear one of those?

While I don't think we should be using a rubber band to keep track of the arrow, the equipment/uniform requirements for players simply don't apply to officials. If they did, we wouldn't be able to wear a lanyard for our whistles since that is akin to a necklace. The safety issues that affect players are not relevant to officials. The issue of the rubber band relates to a player slapping at a ball and getting their finger caught in another player's rubber band. I don't know of ANY legitimate situation where a player will be slapping at the ball when it is in or near a referee's hands.

It merely comes down to what looks professional.

How many guys do you ref with that wear wedding bands while they ref?

Most of the married officials do. Hardly any of the single officials.

Camron, does your association allow their officials to wear rubber bands on their wrists? Watches too under the same reasoning that jewelry isn't relevant to officials either?

While it is not viewed professionally and it is suggested that the official not wear a watch or large rings, it is not because players can't wear them. It's simply because that is the expected uniform for the officials.

As far as rubber bands go, I don't know that it has ever been mentioned. I think I've seen some people with them.

Again, just because it is frowned upon and usually not done does not mean that the reason is the rules governing players.

Would you let a player wear a wedding ring? Huh, wouldja? :D

No. That's the <b>only</b> thing that players aren't allowed to wear that our association lets our officials wear. No earrings, rubber bands, watches, etc. Anything that the FED doesn't allow, we don't allow.

You've been all over, Rich. What's the norm in the different areas that you've officiated in?

What is the reason then?