Legally Equipped? Why Do We Ask?

[chseagle]

Originally Posted by Spence

Coach says "yes" to the "legally equipped question."

Right before tip we notice that the girl getting ready to jump has a metal pin in her hair to keep her ponytail in place. She's not legally equipped.

We seem to always just tell her to take it out and go on.

Why do we ask the question ? Is it to protect ourselves somehow if there's a problem?

How many coaches really have a full understanding of the rules that they should have?

I had a situation last year where after both coaches were asked if legally equipped and the game had been going on for a quarter & a half, a sub came to the table with metal bobbie pins in her hair. I buzzed at the next dead ball (as a courtesy) to notify the floor officials of the player & the coach had a fit cause of my noticing the violation. All the coach did was sit her back down & put athletic tape over every single bobbie pin.