football bicep bands

[Ed Hickland]

There appears to be some confusion over bicep bands and sweatbands. A bicep band is an elastic band that fits around the bicep (that's why it is called a bicep band.) Some states have chosen to declare them illegal.

Some officials confuse a bicep band with a sweatband. A sweatband is a cotton/elastic band ranging in size from 1/2 inch to 3 inches. By rule, they are legal if worn up to 3 inches above the wrist. You see many NFL players wearing these often with the color to match the uniform usually just above the elbow which is illegal in NFHS.

Usually if a player is found wearing illegal equipment you tell them to take it off as it does not have a material affect on the game so why penalize it. The exception is when players are found without a tailbone protector which is exceptionally dangerous and could create a liability for us as officials.

[Jim D]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

There appears to be some confusion over bicep bands and sweatbands. A bicep band is an elastic band that fits around the bicep (that's why it is called a bicep band.) Some states have chosen to declare them illegal.

Ed, It's not the states that rule the bicep band illegal, it's the NFHS. A bicep band is not a piece of legal equipment - it's an adornment and, except for a towel or sweatband, adornments are illegal.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

There appears to be some confusion over bicep bands and sweatbands. A bicep band is an elastic band that fits around the bicep (that's why it is called a bicep band.) Some states have chosen to declare them illegal.

There's no confusion. A sweatband is a sweatband is a sweatband. You can wear a sweatband within three inches of the base of the thumb. You cannot wear one anywhere else on your body. Calling it a bicep band does not change the fact that it is a sweatband and is illegal if warn anywhere other than the base of the tumb.

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

There's no confusion. A sweatband is a sweatband is a sweatband. You can wear a sweatband within three inches of the base of the thumb. You cannot wear one anywhere else on your body. Calling it a bicep band does not change the fact that it is a sweatband and is illegal if warn anywhere other than the base of the tumb.

I stand corrected, kinda. The traditional bicep band was intended to protect athletes from elbow injuries particularly tennis players. They are made typically of rubber to provide protection without restricting circulation. They can be worn if a doctor's note is provided and the band is covered by 1/2 inch thick closed-cell polyurethane.

This stuff all the manufacturers are calling "bicep bands" are nothing more than an attempt to sell more stuff. They have become a fashion statement, nothing more or nothing less. In fact, I wear them in the gym and other than looks they provide absolutely no value.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

They can be worn if a doctor's note is provided and the band is covered by 1/2 inch thick closed-cell polyurethane.

Now you've got me confused. The only doctor's note I'm accepting is clearence for a player to participate while wearing a cast.

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Now you've got me confused. The only doctor's note I'm accepting is clearence for a player to participate while wearing a cast.

It's really simple. If a player is protecting an injury to his bicep it has to be protected by the closed cel foam and there must be a doctor's note. Otherwise, anything three inches above the wrist is illegal.

[ajmc]

Every now and then, perhaps not often enough, the rule-makers announce a decision that makes our lives easier. So it is with these obnoxious "bands" that have no practical function, other than to serve as a fashion statement, and pose a minimal safety concern regarding fingers getting caught up in them.

Rather than develop a multi-paragraph, convoluted definition of what may, or may not be acceptable, the rule-makers decided simply to say, "NO". If you want to get embrioled in a never ending debate with coachs, players and even possibly parents as to the perceived harmlessness or inoccuessness of these uniform adornments, that's up to you. A simple, "NO", on the other hand seems like a much simpler and clearer response.

This is the type issue, consistency, will be helpful in eliminating.

[daggo66]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

It's really simple. If a player is protecting an injury to his bicep it has to be protected by the closed cel foam and there must be a doctor's note. Otherwise, anything three inches above the wrist is illegal.

Can you please cite that rule?

[NoAlaUmp]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

There's no confusion. A sweatband is a sweatband is a sweatband. You can wear a sweatband within three inches of the base of the thumb. You cannot wear one anywhere else on your body. Calling it a bicep band does not change the fact that it is a sweatband and is illegal if warn anywhere other than the base of the tumb.

This is at least the second post in this thread that has misquoted the rule on a sweatband. It is not worn "within 3 inches of the base of the thumb," it can extend no more than 3 inches from the base of the thumb. There is a definite difference.