Numbering question.

[Illini_Ref]

I had a local HS coach approach me at a local restaurant today while I was eating lunch (so much for being anonymous). He coaches at a very small school with limited numbers of kids.

He wanted to know if he could line up his FB on the line as an interior lineman(his number is <50). I told him that was fine as long as there were seven ont he line and at least five was numbered 50-79. Evidently that wouldn't be the case. He asked if he had a number in the 50s if he could run the ball, I said yes, but he wasn't an eligible receiver. Now my question (and I should know this). Can a kid change jerseys during the game for reason of numbering?

[Bob Mc]

Yes they can change

[BktBallRef]

On the football board, yes.

On the basketball board, no.

[Bob Mc]

What's basketball?

[MI Official]

thats's the other sportplayed during wrestling season

[cougar729]

As a Fed guy working into NCAA, is it a penalty in NCAA for a player to change numbers during a game? I was thinking it was, but not sure

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by cougar729

As a Fed guy working into NCAA, is it a penalty in NCAA for a player to change numbers during a game? I was thinking it was, but not sure

REPLY: NCAA rules say that players may not change numbers during the game to deceive opponents.

[RoyGardner]

Assuming coach notified R prior to game that a player would be changing numbers to comply with the numbering restrictions in the rules, and that opposing coach was duly notified of the "numbering change" then IMO, under NCAA rules he is OK since he would not be violating the rules by attempting to deceive opponent.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by MI Official

thats's the other sportplayed during wrestling season

I thought there was only wrestling during the Olympics. No one watches that sport at that time either. You learn something new every day.

Peace

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by RoyGardner

Assuming coach notified R prior to game that a player would be changing numbers to comply with the numbering restrictions in the rules, and that opposing coach was duly notified of the "numbering change" then IMO, under NCAA rules he is OK since he would not be violating the rules by attempting to deceive opponent.

REPLY: I agree. That's why I bolded the last three words of my post. If a uniform becomes illegal or unusable during the game, changing numbers with proper notification to everyone is OK.