Head bands

[Decorily]

I've noticed numerous players playing at Olympic 7s while wearing head/sweat/hair bands.

Are these legal? Could they pose a risk of injury to players?

 

[crossref]

[LAWS]4.1 Additional items of clothing
(a)
A player may wear supports made of elasticated or compressible materials which must be washable.
(b)
A player may wear shin guards which conform with World Rugby Specifications (Regulation 12).
(c)
A player may wear ankle supports worn under socks, not extending higher than one third of the length of the shin and, if rigid, from material other than metal.
(d)
A player may wear mitts (fingerless gloves) which must conform to World Rugby Specifications (Regulation 12).
(e)
A player may wear shoulder pads which must bear the World Rugby Approval Mark (Regulation 12).
(f)
A player may wear a mouth guard or dental protector.
(g)
A player may wear headgear which must bear the World Rugby Approval Mark (Regulation 12).
(h)
A player may wear bandages and/or dressings to cover or protect any injury.
(i)
A player may wear thin tape or other similar material as support and/or to prevent injury.
LAW AMENDMENT TRIAL

(j)
A player may wear goggles which must bear the World Rugby Approval Mark (Regulation 12).
[/LAWS]

 

[Camquin]

It is a grey area, they are not really support nor are not approved headgear (i.e. a scrumcap) so are not expressly permitted, but if the uncompressed thickness is under 5mm they would not be banned under Regulation 12 4.4(g) so are not expressly prohibited.

But if you permit tape round the forehead, why not a headband?

At the end of the day, the referee is the judge of fact, and if you think any item of clothing is dangerous or illegal, you must tell the player not to wear it. If they do not take it off, you must order them from the field. Law 4.5.

 

[SimonSmith]

Because tape won't slide down and end up around the neck where it can be twisted or pulled

 

[Christy]

Headscarves are now permitted under Law 4.2 Special Additional Items for Women.


Law 4.2 (c) Headscarves, providing they do not cause a danger to the wearer or other players and do not contravene Regulation 12.



Key points for referees:

• For safety and to help avoid accidental removal, the headscarf should be tucked inside the collar of the wearers jersey.
• The face must not be covered to aid recognition of suspected concussion.
• The headscarf must not have any sharp or abrasive components, Law 4.4 (b).
• Should headscarf become contaminated with blood it must be removed / replaced, Law 4.4 (a) & Law 4.6.
• Jewellery must not be worn underneath headscarf, Law 4.4 (d).
• "Scrum caps", if worn, must be worn externally to headscarf.
• Inspection of players clothing is covered in Law 4.5.
• Grabbing / Pulling of the headscarf should be managed / sanctioned as a high tackle, Law 10.4 (e).

men are not permitted head bands

 

[crossref]

men are not permitted head bands

if that's true, then neither are women.

 

[Camquin]

Simon - fair point

- - - Updated - - -

Simon - fair point

 

[Decorily]

if that's true, then neither are women.

In this case I believe you are correct....however I feel your logic is flawed!

 

[crossref]

Technically the answer for headband is the same as it is for leggings and tutus. They are not listed amongst the items of permitted clothing, so you can't wear them.

But customary practice is to allow headbands