NFHS - Medical Rules

NATIONAL FEDERATION

MEDICAL SPORT RULE RESTRICTIONS

To better assist Coaches and Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC) with the playing rules adopted by the National Federation and the CIF, listed below are many of the rules that govern “medical Issues” and can affect student athlete participation. These highlighted rules and regulations should NOT be construed as the only rules that can affect a player’s participation and that interpretation of these rules ARE always up to the judgment of the game officials. These are provided as informational and educational only.

FOOTBALL RULES

RULE 1, SECT. 5, ART 2: Legal if approved by the umpire. The following auxiliary equipment may be worn if sanctioned by the umpire as being soft, nonabrasive, non-hardening material:

            a. Forearm pads, hand pads or gloves which may be anchored on each end with athletic tape.

             b. Tape, bandage, or support wrap on the hand or forearm to protect an existing injury.

                         EXCEPTION: Tape, bandage, or support wrap not to exceed three thicknesses, and sweatbands, when worn on the wrist beginning at the base of the thumb and extending no more than three inches toward the elbow, are legal without inspection or approval.

             c. Each state association may authorize the use of artificial limbs which in its opinion are no more dangerous to players than the corresponding human limb and do not place an opponent at a disadvantage. 

RULE 1, SECT. 5, ART 3: No player shall be permitted to play 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:

            a. Ball-colored helmets, jerseys, patches, pads or gloves, penalty-flag colored pads or gloves. Any transverse stripe on the sleeve below the elbow.

             b. Computers or any other electronic or mechanical devices for communication.

                         Note 1: Each state association may authorize the use of a drum by a team composed of deaf or partially deaf players, in order to establish a rhythmic cadence following the ready-for-play signal.           

                        Note 2: Each state association may authorize the use of a hearing instrument to enhance the efficiency of a required hearing aid prescribed by a licensed medical physician, provided it is not dangerous to the wearer or any other player. 

            c. Hard substance in its final form such as leather, rubber, plastic, plaster or fiberglass when worn on the hand, wrist, forearm or elbow unless covered on all exterior surfaces with no less than ½ inch thick, high-density, closed-cell polyurethane, or an alternate material of the same minimum thickness and similar physical properties to protect an injury as directed in writing by a licensed medical physician.

             d. Knee braces made of hard unyielding material, unless hinges are covered on both sides and all edges overlap and the brace is worn under the pants. Unless covering is provided by the manufacturer, any portion of the brace made of hard material and extending below the pants must be covered. Any other hard substance across the front of the leg must be covered with at least ½ inch of closed-cell slow-recovery rubber or other material of the same minimum thickness and having similar physical properties. 

            e. Metal which is projecting or other hard substance on clothes or person.

            f. Plastic material covering protective pads whose edges are not rounded with a radius equal to ½ the thickness of the plastic.

            g. Eye shields which prevent 100% visual examination of a player's eyes.

 RULE 3, SECT. 5, ART 10: A time -out occurs when: 

            a. An injured or apparently injured player who is discovered by an official while the ball is dead and the clock is stopped, and for whom the ready-for-play signal is delayed, or for whom the clock is stopped, shall be replaced for at least one down unless the half-time or        overtime intermission occurs. These time-outs, if not charged, are an official's time-out.

             b. An unconscious or apparently unconscious player is determined by the game officials.    The player may not return to play in the game without written authorization from a physician. This time-out, if not charged, is an official's time-out. 

            c. The official discovers a player who is bleeding, or has an open wound, or has an excessive amount of blood on his uniform. Such a player shall be considered an injured        player as in Art. 10a (see Communicable Disease procedure). 

RULE 9, SECT.8, ART.2: During a time -out for injury, the coach and/or such attendant s as may be deemed necessary by the referee may, with permission, enter to attend the injured player(s). 

            ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Covering the Knee Brace (1-5-3d): In 1990 it was a requirement that knee braces had to be worn under the pants. It was also a requirement that any hard portion of the brace which extended below the pants had to be covered. In addition, an interpretation was made that the hard portion below the pants had to be wrapped or sealed in such a way that the chance of fingers getting into the hinge mechanism would be virtually impossible. The interpretation and implementation caused some problems and confusion. The decision as to legality of a brace covering varied from one game to another. The Committee has decided that the interpretation must be changed to bring about consistent administration. It was agreed that it was impractical to attempt to "seal off" the lower part of the brace so fingers could not get into the hinge mechanism. Manufacturers have reported that in actual use, this concern is not justified by injury reports. The revised wording simplifies the requirement. Hard material below the pants must be covered. Nothing else is required. If the hard portion is not covered by the manufacturer it must be covered by the player before he can participate.

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Last modified: 07/27/11