INDIANAPOLIS, IN (May 3, 2022) — The allowance of hair adornments made
of hard material has been clarified in high school basketball.
Adornments made of hard material are permitted provided they are
securely fastened close to the head and do not present an increased risk
to the player, teammates or opponents.
This
change to Rule 3-5-4d was approved by the National Federation of State
High School Associations (NFHS) Basketball Rules Committee at its annual
meeting April 11-13 in Indianapolis. The recommendation was
subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
The
committee adjusted the rule to be inclusive of hair styles while
maintaining that the risk of injury to the athlete and others not be
compromised.
“It was extremely important to the
rules committee to create rules language that supported diversity of
hair trends while minimizing the risk of injury to the athlete,
teammates and opponents,” said Lindsey Atkinson, director of sports and
liaison to the Basketball Rules Committee. “Creating educational tools
through case plays and the annual NFHS Basketball Rules PowerPoint will
be the focus of the committee.”
Adjustments
were also made to the Shot Clock Guidelines in the Basketball Rules Book
as states begin to implement its use by state association adoption this
season. The committee reiterated that the Shot Clock Guidelines are
strongly suggested, but not required.
In
addition, the Shot Clock Guidelines were simplified to suggest a full
reset of the shot clock after a ball is intentionally kicked or fisted.
However, states may choose to institute a partial reset in these
instances, if desired.
According to the latest
updates, four states have adopted full use of the shot clock since last
year’s rules changes: Iowa, Minnesota, Montana and Utah. Three others
have adopted it for limited use: Nebraska, South Carolina and Florida.
Ten state associations previously had implemented or approved a shot
clock prior to the NFHS rule change: California, Georgia, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota,
Washington and the District of Columbia. Idaho has tentatively approved a
shot clock with a second vote coming in June.
“High
school basketball from a playing rules perspective is in a good place,”
said Billy Strickland, executive director of the Alaska School
Activities Association and chair of the Basketball Rules Committee. “The
Committee spent a significant amount of time during our April meeting
discussing future rule proposals, an increase in physicality within the
game and unsportsmanlike behavior by spectators, as well as the upcoming
implementation of the 35 second shot clock in several states.”
The
Basketball Rules Committee identified three points of emphasis for the
upcoming season, including promoting good sportsmanship. The points also
focus on reducing illegal contact in post-play, off-ball play and
through hand checks. The third point of emphasis reminds officials to
first address illegal uniforms, equipment and apparel directly with the
head coach and not players.
A complete listing
of the basketball rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at
www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home
page and select “Basketball.”
According to the
most recent NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, a total of
540,769 boys participated in basketball in 18,617 schools, and 399,067
girls participated in the sport in 18,210 schools across the country. It
is the third-most popular sport for boys and girls.
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