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shoelace tape vs headgear tape
Topic Started: Dec 12 2011, 12:27 AM (2,248 Views)
tazal
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I have always assumed the reason shoelaces had to be taped, or otherwise restrained was to keep the action moving and avoid having to stop a match to deal with shoelace issues. Isn't a piece of tape holding the front/top two straps together on headgear such as a cliff keen classic going to serve essentially the same purpose?
Cliff Keen Classic

I have seen more match timeouts this year due to fixing those headgear than ever in the past and it seems like some of them might be related to kids not being able to keep those two straps taped together.

I can't really see the downside of the tape on the straps nor do I think it would be a bad thing having a ref use his/her judgement to determine if it is allowed. I believe they are already asked to make calls on skin issues, and while I have heard plenty of complaints about skin issues I don't remember seeing anyone argue with a ref about shoelace tape or other equipment issues.

I personally don't like the headbutters headgear:
Morgan Gladiator

That's probably a bit strong, I am sure there are kids who wear that headgear and don't try to use it as a weapon but I can't imagine there are any independent studies showing a decrease in concussion risk, a thin layer of hard plastic can't help much with that. On the other hand I have seen scrapes and scratches from the hard plastic edges on those headgear and that just leads to more skin issues. The same goes for velco straps, it's more abrasive than simple athletic tape yet now headgear are even coming with velcro to hold the front/top straps together:
Brute Quad

So to conform to the ask a ref rules, are you enforcing the "as intended by manufacturer" rule and if so how strictly? If a kid gets a letter from Cliff Keen stating "our headgear is intended to be worn with or without tape holding the front two straps together" do you have the latitude to allow it? If someone has the Brute Quad but has removed the velcro it came with from the manufacturer are you forcing them to find that velcro and put it back on the headgear? It just seems like someone is fixing a problem that doesn't exist, I'm hoping someone will be able to point out the logic behind this rule/enforcement. If not please take it to the interpretation committee and ask for a clarification that would allow kids a little tape to avoid headgear coming down over their eyes.

If anyone is considering posting something like "learn to adjust your headgear better" you can keep it to yourself and file it right next to "learn to double-knot your shoelaces."

Thanks
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WrestlingOfficial
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Great questions. This rule was handed down to us by the NFHS. I don't like it and quite honestly don't understand the reasons. Unfortunately we need to enforce the rule.

The reason I was told has to do with bacteria that could be in the tape straps. It doesn't seem likely to me, however if it is truly possible isn't it possible to have bacteria in the stickers that are allowed on the ear piece???? In wrestling most of the head to head contact is ear to ear where the stickers are not top of the head where the piece of tape holds the straps together.....
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q95
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..


Edited by q95, Jan 7 2012, 08:26 PM.
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B. Stoked
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Rod,

At an event this weekend, we had a Wisconsin school competing, and during the coaches meeting it was brought up that Wisconsin has passed an exemption/appeal to this tape on the headgear ruling by the NFHS and requested that officals do not penalize the Wisconsin team.

Any word if the MSHSL would consider attempting to pass something similar?
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Guillodean
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Dec 12 2011, 10:36 AM
Great questions. This rule was handed down to us by the NFHS. I don't like it and quite honestly don't understand the reasons. Unfortunately we need to enforce the rule.

Its not being enforced....I counted 8 wrestlers with taped headgear at a tournament this past Saturday. So, is it going to be enforced or not? I think it is a really dumb rule as well, but as you clearly stated, you are going to enforce it. Has the rule left room for an official to enforce the rule or not? Sends a mixed message by the officiating community when some enforce the rule and some do not.
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WrestlingOfficial
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According to mshsl it is supposed to be enforced.
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gopher dragon fan
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Do the laces still need to be taped? I watch a match where the kid not only didn't have them taped he didn't even have them tied. Didn't matter much he was pinned in the first 30 seconds of the match.
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WrestlingOfficial
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Yes laces needed to be secured with either tape or the velcro that most shoes have. I am still amazed how many times a year I have to penalize a kid for not having his shoes secured correctly.

BTW some states (not Minnesota) consider double knotting the shoe laces as secured.....
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