[GoHawks4]

The rulebook makes no mention of sweatbands. Should players be allowed to wear them?

[Keith]

The laws only address the five "S's" and jewelry. The rest is left up to ITOOTR. The common sense approach of ITOOTR, is to ask . . ."is it safe?" and "is it necessary?"

[IASocFan]

Originally posted by Keith
The laws only address the five "S's" and jewelry. The rest is left up to ITOOTR. The common sense approach of ITOOTR, is to ask . . ."is it safe?" and "is it necessary?"

I understand "is it safe?." But so what if it is not necessary? I don't know how they could be unsafe.

[Keith]

Is a medical bracelet, tag, or necklace "necessary?" Most would agree, but then it must be safe, which we get into taping. A young kid having a previous concussion might be wearing a soft foam helmet as a keeper. Safe and necessary. A wedding band on an adult player. A soft scrunchie or barette or rubber band for a player with long hair. And I know this will cause controversy, but I allow keepers to wear brimmed "safe" hats when the sun is in their eyes (necessary). This is standard fare for USSF instruction on equipment.

[GoHawks4]

Well for a Keeper, sweat in the eyes is a big deal, and wiping your face with your gloves will detereorate the grip of your gloves. I would allow it.

[Greyhnd00]

The sweatband seems to be increasing in popularity........again. While I think it looks like a BAD throwback to the 1970s I cant see why the kids cant wear them if they want to.

[faizalenu]

There is nothing in the rules that prevents this, so absolutely. What possible reason do you have for not allowing this.

Headbands are safe -- that is all there is too this.

[gkeck]

Just a note of interest..the exact same sweatband was worn by the Swedish referee that officiated the WWC99.

[gkeck]

Originally posted by gkeck
Just a note of interest..the exact same sweatband was worn by the Swedish referee that officiated the WWC99.

correction...Swiss referee that officiated the final.

[jc508]

I believe that USSF issued a position paper several years ago that said that elastic sweatbands were permitted.

The paper's main concern was the wearing of bandanas, which were forbidden. The concern was that the wearing of certain colors in certain areas posed a real danger for that player if the wrong color was worn (e.g. wearing crips colors in bloods' territory).