coach with a crutch

[Little Jimmy]

There is no clear rule saying the coach cannot. I won't hang on that being unapproved equipment; that isn't remotely the intent of that rule. Using that, you would refuse a coach wearing an insulin pump on the belt? A soft boot? Then, instead, you would put that person in greater danger of further injury by mandating the (apparently medically needed) crutch be left behind? You can couch it as I gave the coach the choice to NOT be there, but you won't win that one. And, absent a clear rule, I feel I assumed zero added liability when the school had designated that person as their coach.

Fed 3-6-10 is clear, at least at saying that other than scoekeeping materials, no objects are allowed in the coaching box. An insulin pump and soft boot goes with the coach when he starts getting out of the way. An old coach is slow but moving. A wheelchair probably isn't getting out of the way, but at least it's relatively stationary allowing a player to somewhat judge how to avoid it. A hopping coach carrying/dragging/dropping a crutch seems different. The dropped/dragged crutch is a hazzard for a player trying to make a play. I would think the safety of the player would take precedence at some point, especially if the crutch is being used by someone who twisted an ankle and doesn't have a perminent disability.