Mouthguards

[BigFarns]

I see the rule saying that the mouthguard must be colored but what about orthodontic mouth guards. When I was in school I had one and it only came clear. I've check with an orthodontist in the area and he confirmed that they are only available in clear. So I think if the kid has braces then we should allow the clear mouth guard so long as they tell us before the game. Seems pretty straightforward to me but it caused a discussion at our meeting this week.
Opinions?

[Jim D]

A clear mouthguard is illegal equipment. I agree it's not dangerous but it is illegal and I'd tell the kid he can't play with it. He can fight that battle with the NFHS.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BigFarns

I've check with an orthodontist in the area and he confirmed that they are only available in clear.

According to a well respected coach on another website, he claims there are other colors available. This coach said he had a couple of players that were able to get colored mouth guards from their doctors.

Bottom line is the rule does not make concessions for doctor issued mouthpieces. The rule was put in place so that officials could clearly see these mouth guards. The rules apply no matter how the kid got one.

Now your state could modify this rule to allow kids to play without penalty. My state has told us that if a mouthpiece is not the right color, we are to issue an USC foul to the head coach for a player with the wrong colored mouthpiece, but the kid can play as long as everything else about the mouth piece is legal. If your state follows the rule, the kid cannot play.

Peace

[BigFarns]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

The rule was put in place so that officials could clearly see these mouth guards.

I realize why the rule was put in place and that's why I say if they tell you about it before the game then as officials we'd know that kid has a mouthguard in.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BigFarns

I realize why the rule was put in place and that's why I say if they tell you about it before the game then as officials we'd know that kid has a mouthguard in.

Unless the mouth piece is of the right color, then the mouth piece is completely illegal under NF rules. Also the player cannot play if you apply the NF rules to the letter. So what are you going to do if your state or association has not given you a directive to do otherwise? I do not have the answer, but as usual this was not a well thought out rule if you ask me.

Peace

[Jim D]

Not to be flip but the answer is the player is illegally equiped and he won't be allowed to play. That's the rule and there is no wiggle room in it. I may not like it but that's another story.

If the NF or the state makes a change I'll gladly go along with it but, for week one in my state, he can't play.

[Tom.OH]

I had an 8th grade scrimmage today. One player had braces and a clear mouth piece that covered both the top and bottom teeth. I told him and his coach that the clear mouth piece was not legal this year, the coach had never heard of that rule change (go figure). I told him ,in my opinion, if he covered the strap with blue tape (the schools main color) it would make it stand out. I don't know how next weeks officials will feel about that and I will be the one that "let him play last week" but his parents have a lot invested in the braces and I knew he was wearing the mouth piece. Any thoughts on the strap being a solid color in cases like these.

[ABoselli]

Like a few changes in the past, this rule change was announced at the beginning of the previous year, so everyone has a chance to make whatever changes need to be made with plenty of time to spare.

Lack of planning or ignorance on their part is not a valid excuse.

The NCAA rule has been in place for a while now and I'm sure there are some orthodontic patients in that bunch that somehow managed to find a colored mouthguard.

[BoomerSooner]

I'm certainly not coming from a position of expertise, but having worn braces, I know the purpose of these special mouth guards is to prevent the inside of the lips from being cut by the braces. I never had this problem playing football because my facemask prevented anything from contacting me directly in the mouth. Basketball was another story though because the face and more importantly the mouth is exposed to contact from a tipped pass, elbow, etc. My orthodontist left the decision entirely up to me for both sports with a stronger recommendation for basketball for the reasons I described, but he never made it as a medical or orthdontia recommendation...only a personal one.

The purpose of a normal mouthpiece, however, is to minimize the impact of a hit that causes significant movement of the head i.e. head hitting the ground. I read an article supporting this position with evidence saying players that wore mouthpieces were less susceptible to concusions.

All I'm saying is that with this being the case, I don't see allowing a clear mouthpiece (and circumventing the rule) on the grounds that it is medically necessary. Now a state provision that allows for it makes it fine for me. I've also seen from years past that it is the kids that want to wear clear mouthpieces do so because they think they can get rid of them a few minutes into the game.

[Jim D]

b Sooner, You may be 100% correct but you're arguing in the wrong courtroom. We don't make the rules, the NFHS does. When they say clear mouthpieces are legal, I'll allow players in my games to wear them. Until then, they are illegal equipment.

[PSU213]

First, the rule is very straight forward. There are no exceptions. If the NFHS wanted to allow these they would have included some exception that allowed a clear mouth piece if he has a note from the orthodontist, etc.

Also, here in PA our state rules interpreter was asked the question about the mouthpiece made by the orthodontist--if the are allowed to be completely clear. The answer he gave was a flat out "no."

[BoomerSooner]

Originally Posted by Jim D

b Sooner, You may be 100% correct but you're arguing in the wrong courtroom. We don't make the rules, the NFHS does. When they say clear mouthpieces are legal, I'll allow players in my games to wear them. Until then, they are illegal equipment.

I'm not sure if I was misunderstood here, but I was indeed supporting the position of not allowing clear mouthpieces. I was merely providing supporting evidence that says they aren't a medical/orthodontic requirement nor should it be that big an issue since these kids typically have a face mask to protect their mouth. Are kids going to get bloddy lips every now and then...sure, but even kids without braces can have these issues.

[BigFarns]

I stand corrected. Sorry for the long arguement. Apparently I was mis-informed by my orthodontist friend. I talked with him this morning and he said "oh guess what...I forgot to tell ya...we do have colored mouthguards."

Sorry everyone.