Sunglasses v. Eye Shields

ljudge · #1 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 16, 2004, 10:57am

A fellow official just called me asking about a question that came up in a midget scrimmage over the weekend. It had to do with a player wearing dark sunglasses. I told him it had nothing to do with the rule regarding dark eyeshields. In fact, I saw on the fed web site two years ago that eyeglasses that were dark were still legal.

If anyone feels I'm wrong please let me know. Assuming everyone agrees is note still required from a doctor?

I believe no note is required and that dark glasses are legal.

ABoselli · #2 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 16, 2004, 11:11am

Sunglasses are legal. Prohibition against the dark eyeshields is because the player's eyes are hidden from view and they can't be seen unless the helmet is removed, which may agravate a neck injury.

You can take glasses off a player without moving anything.

Snake~eyes · #3 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 16, 2004, 11:33am

Quote:

Originally posted by ABoselli
Sunglasses are legal. Prohibition against the dark eyeshields is because the player's eyes are hidden from view and they can't be seen unless the helmet is removed, which may agravate a neck injury.

You can take glasses off a player without moving anything.

Really? I'd like to hear some more opinions on this, there is no rule that I know of that supports this. I don't think there is a caseplay either, if there is please cite.

andy1033 · #4 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 16, 2004, 11:42am

Sun Glasses are illegal\

Deep · #5 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 16, 2004, 11:45am

ABoselli is exactly right, and so is his reasoning.

andy1033 · #6 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 16, 2004, 11:50am

Most of the players wear a strap in the back to hold glasses on. They may not be able to be taken off with removing helmet NY does not allow sunglasses

[Edited by andy1033 on Aug 18th, 2004 at 07:53 PM]

ABoselli · #7 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 16, 2004, 12:54pm

The question was asked at the NY state interpretors meeting specifically regarding sunglasses and they were ruled illegal.

I went back and looked at my notes.

Ill advised, if you ask me.

[Edited by ABoselli on Aug 16th, 2004 at 05:16 PM]

ljudge · #8 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 16, 2004, 05:16pm

OK. I located my notes. According to what I have it's legal, BUT the ruling I have is dated.

As you all know NFHS puts out its "interpretations page" on its web site every year. In 1999 they covered this and I don't believe the rule has changed. Here's what I have on paper, but unfortunately, I don't have this electronically.

If anyone is a packrat like me and have this please let me know. Especially if it has changed. Here's what I have on paper...

"Situation 12: Player A1 has a legal eye shield attached to his helmet but is wearing a pair of dark-lens sunglasses to cover his light-sensitive eyes.

Ruling: Legal. (1-5-3m)"

jumpmaster · #9 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 16, 2004, 06:02pm

Quote:

Originally posted by andy1033
Sun Glasses are illegal\

as Snake~Eyes stated, please provide the source of your comments.

ljudge · #10 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 16, 2004, 07:15pm

I believe I cited the source. Again, it was from the NFHS web site in 1999 as I stated. I downloaded it at that time and printed out the document. What I don't have is an electronic version of that same document, only from the printout I made in 1999. I could make a copy and fax the entire paper (5 pages total) if you wish. I'll look around on my computer some more but I changed computers since that time and may not have transferred everything. If I find this electronically I'll post it.

jumpmaster · #11 (**permalink**) Tue Aug 17, 2004, 08:40am

Quote:

Originally posted by ljudge
I believe I cited the source. Again, it was from the NFHS web site in 1999 as I stated. I downloaded it at that time and printed out the document. What I don't have is an electronic version of that same document, only from the printout I made in 1999. I could make a copy and fax the entire paper (5 pages total) if you wish. I'll look around on my computer some more but I changed computers since that time and may not have transferred everything. If I find this electronically I'll post it.

thanks ljudge, I was directing my comment to andy1033.

Ed Hickland · #12 (**permalink**) Tue Aug 17, 2004, 09:09am

Quote:

Originally posted by ABoselli
The question was asked at the NY state interpretors meeting specifically regarding sunglasses and they were ruled illegal.

I went back and looked at my notes.

Ill advised, if you ask me.

[Edited by ABoselli on Aug 16th, 2004 at 05:16 PM]

Difficult ruling. Does that mean the photo-tint, glasses that turn dark in the sun, are illegal?

ABoselli · #13 (**permalink**) Tue Aug 17, 2004, 09:37am

My guess is no, as those lenses, once deprived of sun, will lighten and allow one to see the eyes of the player.

Then again, we didn't cover it specifically. Since I was wrong before on my assumption, I'm probably wrong here.

#14 (**permalink**) Wed Aug 18, 2004, 12:29pm

So, if I'm reading this thread right, this is entirely a state association ruling. In the NFHS Casebook, there is a situation in there (1.5.3 SITUATION D) that states that the eye shield is legal if, in addition to being clear, it is also molded and rigid, and attached firmly to the helmet.

How can you attach eyeglasses firmly to the helmet?
Serg

Patton · #15 (**permalink**) Wed Aug 18, 2004, 01:06pm

Quote:

Originally posted by VaASAump
How can you attach eyeglasses firmly to the helmet?
Serg

Let's not forget, we're talking about sunglasses. Eyeglasses have been and I'm sure will always be legal. I would say if they are presciption sunglasses or automatic tinting glasses they are fine...and here's my reasoning. I wear glasses, and it can be much harder to see in the bright sunlight with clear lenses than with tinted lenses.

As for strictly sunglasses, I think you could ask most coaches that unless the player really needs them for an eye condition we would rather him not wear them for safety concerns.