Helmet Visors

[KnoxVegas]

Two of my guys have purchased Smoke Eye Shields by Leader and wore them for all of about three minutes of our game on Saturday night. The officials stopped play and had the two leave the field to take the shields off (I subbed for them and play resumed).

I did not ask for a ruling from the official (That is my first mistake) but I did read the 2005 NCAA Rule Book and could not find rule prohibiting the wearing of these eye shileds. Though there was this:

Prohibited Equipment
SECTION 23. The following general prohibitions relating to equipment shall be adhered to:
a. No player shall wear or carry equipment that, in the opinion of the officials, endangers that individual or other players....

Might this be what the official was following? The game was at night to be fair. Yet, I played back in the warly to mid '90s with the same shield in my helmet and never had a problem with the officials.

Can anyone out there help me with this please?

[TexOle]

I don't have the rulebook in front of me, but I do know the rule. They may wear a visor, but it must be clear. Any tint to the visor is illegal.

[A.J. Stevens]

Visors are not mentioned in the NCAA rule book. Clear visors are the only ones allowed for safety reasons. If a player is injured the medical staff needs to be able to see his eyes without removing the helmet.

[laxfan25]

The NFHS "Federation" rule book has the following article under the Equipment section;
ART. 10 . . . No player shall wear an eye shield that is not clear, molded and nonrigid.

The NCAA book has no similar statement however. I have heard that the reason for the clear eyeshield rule is for safety, to be able to see your eyeballs spinning after that hard bodycheck. Under the NCAA rules it would be hard to see how this could be enforced. LaxRef?

[LaxRef]

The NFHS "Federation" rule book has the following article under the Equipment section;
ART. 10 . . . No player shall wear an eye shield that is not clear, molded and nonrigid.

The NCAA book has no similar statement however. I have heard that the reason for the clear eyeshield rule is for safety, to be able to see your eyeballs spinning after that hard bodycheck. Under the NCAA rules it would be hard to see how this could be enforced. LaxRef?

This is one of those things they told us at the NCAA meeting a few years ago (2002?) but never bothered to put in the rulebook. They should not be allowed for safety reasons.

[KnoxVegas]

So while there is no specific rule in the book, Section 23 would be the citation for prohibiting helmet visors? Or is there another citation that could be called upon to enforce this?

[A.J. Stevens]

So while there is no specific rule in the book, Section 23 would be the citation for prohibiting helmet visors? Or is there another citation that could be called upon to enforce this?

Yes tinted or smoked visors would fall under sec. 23

[Jolly Roger]

Hey Ethan

How about as coach, you use the "I don't let my players look like idiots" clause

[Tarzan]

How about as coach, you use the "I don't let my players look like idiots" clause

That rule is under section I-say so. My favorite section!

[TexOle]

Maybe someone else can correct me, but I have found that the best time to address these issues is before the game. Once the game starts then I would think that it would be illegal equimpment if we are going by the rule. That would result in a penalty. However since we are playing fall ball I am not sure if you would use the NCAA rules. I am lost on how I would handle this situation. Since it is fall ball I would probably tell the players that I would allow them for the game and tell them to remove them after the game. I would definitely tell them that in the regular season and playoffs it would be illegal equipment and enforced that way. I guess what I am asking is when is the best time to address the issue of illegal equipment if you notice it before a game?

[KnoxVegas]

Hey Ethan

How about as coach, you use the "I don't let my players look like idiots" clause

Could you please give me a citation for this clause, for I am unfamiliar with it?

The point of this thread was to find out if there was a specific rule against helmet visors. Not to circumvent the rules but to clarify the situation.

I appreciate those that offered suggestions.

If you would like to schedule a game versus my team, please PM me and I am sure we can fit you in.

[TexOle]

I realized that I looked a little silly going to the High School rulebook with a college question. I mainly officiate high school games, and I love it. I would encourage every player to look at officiating lacrosse. Especially those of you playing in areas where the sport is growing it is important to help this sport grow.

Knowing this rule is meant for player safety then I have another question. I took a sports medicine class. We talked about the importance of getting the facemask away quickly for training personnel. My question is how do you remove the facemask on a lacrosse helmet for CPR. You do not want to remove the helmet for neck stabilization purposes. You also want to get to the throat in case you have to rig a device to help with breathing there. This goes mainly for the ones with the chin guard attached directly to the helmet. The Gait and C2s come to mind. If you have experience with this please let me know. I hope I never have to see this done, but it would be nice to know since often the closest person to an injury is the official. I know some officials will tell me that I should not be working an injury on the field, but if it is necessary to sustain life then I am going in.

[LaxRef]

Maybe someone else can correct me, but I have found that the best time to address these issues is before the game. Once the game starts then I would think that it would be illegal equimpment if we are going by the rule. That would result in a penalty. However since we are playing fall ball I am not sure if you would use the NCAA rules. I am lost on how I would handle this situation. Since it is fall ball I would probably tell the players that I would allow them for the game and tell them to remove them after the game. I would definitely tell them that in the regular season and playoffs it would be illegal equipment and enforced that way. I guess what I am asking is when is the best time to address the issue of illegal equipment if you notice it before a game?

I agree that you should address it before the game. If you tell them they can't wear it and then they wear it anyway, give them a 1:00 USC. All of these uniform issues should be addressed pre-game whenever possible.

I wouldn't penalize for an illegal helmet just because of the visor, at least not until the NCAA puts it explicitly into the rulebook. Just make the guy get off the field immediately if you miss it in warmups and the tinted visor makes it onto the field. If he doesn't, give him an illegal procedure (or, if you feel strongly, a USC). I for sure wouldn't let him play with it, because then you're liable if something bad happens.

[Sonny]

Two of my guys have purchased Smoke Eye Shields by Leader and wore them for all of about three minutes of our game on Saturday night. The officials stopped play and had the two leave the field to take the shields off (I subbed for them and play resumed).

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