Eye Black

[frezer11]

Before a game this weekend, I was talking with a coach that I know, and he mentioned that some of his kids wanted to wear eye black during a game. He didn't allow them to do it anyways, but I got to thinking whether or not it was actually legal to do. I didn't find anywhere in the rules that prohibit it, but my gut feeling is that they shouldn't. Thoughts? Has anyone ever seen that in basketball?

[Adam]

I've seen it (in a girls game, actually), and can't recall any rule either. It should be allowed, so long as nothing offensive is written in the eye black.

[grunewar]

Ridiculous. Just more "kids" trying to get more attention.

[HokiePaul]

I agree that it is ridiculous.

Not saying that I'd go this route (it would be a bit of a stretch), but one could argue:

that it is not "appropriate" for an indoor basketball game.

3-5-1: The referee shall not permit any team member to wear equipment or apparel which, in his/her judgment, is dangerous or confusing to other players or is not appropriate

or that this is a "head decoration"
3-5-4e: Head decorations and headwear, except those specified above, are prohibited

or that this is "unnatural" and could provide a "competitive advantage"
3-6-5: Equipment which is unnatural ... or to gain a competitive advantage shall not be permitted

Really though, if I saw this, I'd ignore it and bring it up to my association in case they wanted to address it.

[River Ref]

Okay. Let's imagine the home town and favored(wolves)playing the visiting(rabbits).Home teams paints faces like their mascot or even glues on some long hair in places. No rules broke,but could it not be taunting? Silly I know,but just throwing it on the wall.

[Rich1]

Originally Posted by River Ref

Okay. Let's imagine the home town and favored(wolves)playing the visiting(rabbits).Home teams paints faces like their mascot or even glues on some long hair in places. No rules broke,but could it not be taunting? Silly I know,but just throwing it on the wall.

This would be a violation of rule 3-5 as cited above and should not be allowed.