Mouthguard Modification

[GregSchumacher]

Tonight we were officiating a 9th grade game where we noticed the quarterback had a mouthpiece much smaller than normal (back had been cut). Is there a rule that states the mouthguard shall not be modified? ... or, what prevents a player from basically cutting the mouthguard completely? Looking for actual location in rules for this. The only thing I see in rules book is that the color must not be clear and that

A tooth and mouth protector which shall include an occlusal (protecting and separating the biting surfaces) and a labial (protecting the teeth and supporting structures) portion and covers the posterior teeth with adequate thickness.

[cougar729]

I think you would just have to use good judgement on whether or not it is legal. If it looks like it would be ok, I think you let it go, but if not, make him find another one

[parepat]

This topic drives me nuts. rather than worry about the safety of the players, the Fed. is concerned with colors.

1. There should be a minimum size.

2. They should require that the mouth guard hang from the fecemask. This would solve a couple problems. A. You would always know if a player had his mouth guard in. B. It would keep the players from handling them every play with their hands and all their germs as they stick them in their helmets and other places. C. It would keep them from getting lost (I find a few on every field I work).

[HawkeyeCubP]

Originally Posted by GregSchumacher

Tonight we were officiating a 9th grade game where we noticed the quarterback had a mouthpiece much smaller than normal (back had been cut). Is there a rule that states the mouthguard shall not be modified? ... or, what prevents a player from basically cutting the mouthguard completely? Looking for actual location in rules for this. The only thing I see in rules book is that the color must not be clear and that

A tooth and mouth protector which shall include an occlusal (protecting and separating the biting surfaces) and a labial (protecting the teeth and supporting structures) portion and covers the posterior teeth with adequate thickness.

All mouth guards, if fitted properly, are modified, which is why there is no rule against modifying them. As far as the cutting them so they don't fit as deep into the mouth, you just read over it. It's in what you quoted from 1-5-2-i. I've emphasized the pertinent portion.

[parepat]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeCubP

All mouth guards, if fitted properly, are modified, which is why there is no rule against modifying them. As far as the cutting them so they don't fit as deep into the mouth, you just read over it. It's in what you quoted from 1-5-2-i. I've emphasized the pertinent portion.

I don't think that is what he is talking about. WHat I see are guards that are chewed to a nub (another result of not being able to let thwm hang off a strap like the old days.)

Good work with the large font though

[HawkeyeCubP]

Yeah, I guessed on the font size enlargement.

[bigjohn]

ART. 3 . . . Illegal equipment. No player shall participate while wearing illegal
equipment. This applies to any equipment, which in the opinion of the umpire is
dangerous, confusing or inappropriate. Illegal equipment shall always include but
is not limited to

8. Equipment not worn as intended by the manufacturer

Read more: CoachHuey.com - mouthpiece strap

[asdf]

Originally Posted by bigjohn

ART. 3 . . . Illegal equipment. No player shall participate while wearing illegal
equipment. This applies to any equipment, which in the opinion of the umpire is
dangerous, confusing or inappropriate. Illegal equipment shall always include but
is not limited to

8. Equipment not worn as intended by the manufacturer

Read more: CoachHuey.com - mouthpiece strap

You dig a 6 year old thread up and you are still wrong..... (you are also not quoting this year's rule book)

If you had any clue as to what you are talking about, you'd know that the strap provides no safety advantage over the non-strap mouthpiece.

If it did, the non-strap mouthpiece would be illegal.

Then again, all you ever do is show your ignorance.

Stay over at Huey's...... You said you were leaving here. Keep your word for once.