Legal equipment has become improperly worn

[Badger1]

Rule change 1-5-5 last year stated, in part, "If proper and legal equipment has become improperly worn through use but prompt repair is possible and does not delay the ready-for-play signal for more than 25 seconds, such repair may be made without replacing the player for at least one down."  That same wording exists in this year's Rulebook.

With the 40 second play clock this year and expectation that the umpire or another official will spot the ball within 12-15 seconds, and pump up the play clock if the ball is spotted below 25 or so seconds, what is the suggested procedure for allowing a player to fix his equipment and still stay in the game?  Do we hesitate spotting the ball, do we spot the ball and hope he gets it fixed prior to the snap being imminent and then stop the play clock to replace him?

I realize last year we would use an official's time out to allow the player some time, up to 25 seconds, to get his equipment fixed. We would monitor the players after the play and tell them to cover their pads, snap their chin straps, etc.  But if we noticed the improper equipment after the ready-for-play signal, we would stop the play clock when the snap was imminent and have him replaced.  Throughout Casebook 3.5.10 it states in the Comment: "Any time the play clock is interrupted for improperly worn or missing equipment by a player, the player is to be removed from the contest for at least one play." 

I realize we want to keep the game moving and not to have to stop the clock to have players replaced while still having them keep their equipment legal.  Just looking for some guidance on this now with the advent of the 40 second play clock.  Thanks.

[AlUpstateNY]

Unfortunately, there will inevitably be some adjustment in dealing with the 40 second play clock in unexpected situations, and likely individual common sense will be the prevailing factor.  Even with the former 25 second RFP, if some equipment malfunction could be corrected without assistance from the bench, or excessively delaying the RFP, we usually tried to correct the problem, without causing unnecessary (or excessive) delay without replacing the player WHEN POSSIBLE & PRACTICAL.

Common sense still will dictate which side of the line the specific situation calls for, (stopping play to allow a player to retie an open shoelace normally wouldn't require a substitution, however, if he broke the lace trying to retie it, he'd likely have to be replaced to safely correct the problem.)

Our 2019 Officials Manual still reminds us, in Basic Philosophy & Principles:  "In addition to a complete mastery of the rules, game officials must have a good knowledge of human nature and the ability to control situations as they arise......At times the emotions of players, coaches and crowds run high and game officials must control themselves in order to provide leadership......Game officials must have a football sense which supersedes the technical application of the rules so that the game goes smoothly. Game officials are expected to exercise good judgment in applying the rules."

[Magician]

This is usually something that can be fixed without affecting the play clock (i.e. covering a shoulder pad, snapping a chin strap). If you want to give the player a few extra seconds then stop the play clock, allow the fix, set it to 25 and wind it. Not much different than last year. The 40-second clock doesn't affect this much.

[Badger1]

I understand that the very minor equipment issues such as fastening a chin strap or covering a pad shouldn't have an affect on the 40 second clock.  Players should be able to get those items fixed immediately when alerted to them by the official.  What I am concerned about is the ear pad that comes out of the helmet after a down and the player now has to take his helmet off to try to get it snapped in.  Or the loose chin strap that needs to be fed back thru the facemask and the helmet needs to be taken off to do this.  This type of repair could normally be made within 25 seconds but I see them not fixed prior to the umpire spotting the ball making the ready for play already in progress.   The offense comes up to the line and the player is still trying to fix his equipment.  If we stop the play clock to fix these types of equipment issues, per the rule book the player needs to be replaced for a down.   

[AlUpstateNY]

If we stop the play clock to fix these types of equipment issues, per the rule book the player needs to be replaced for a down.

Unfortunately, "One size NEVER fits all" which seems the recognition of which contributed to the foundation for creating NFHS 1-1-6. That caveat also applies to 1-1-6 and there's no guarantee that such judgments rendered will ALWAYS enjoy universal agreement or concession.  It does, however, require acceptance, so the game can continue. 

Whether, or not, such decisions may be deemed appropriate will be determined after the fact (and the contest), which lends credence to why such decisions are required to be made "promptly and in the spirit of good sportsmanship".  Such decisions are expected to be both rare and specific to the unique situation at hand, only. 

Where necessary, appropriate review may or may not confirm the decision (for that specific situation), determine whether the written rule would benefit from revision, or whether the judgment was in error to the extent of requiring adjustment, explanation or clarification to avoid repetition.  Player safety is still the primary objective of NFHS 1-5-5, and NFHS 1-1-3 through 1-1-11 delineate the Game officials authority. 

[CalhounLJ]

I understand that the very minor equipment issues such as fastening a chin strap or covering a pad shouldn't have an affect on the 40 second clock.  Players should be able to get those items fixed immediately when alerted to them by the official.  What I am concerned about is the ear pad that comes out of the helmet after a down and the player now has to take his helmet off to try to get it snapped in.  Or the loose chin strap that needs to be fed back thru the facemask and the helmet needs to be taken off to do this.  This type of repair could normally be made within 25 seconds but I see them not fixed prior to the umpire spotting the ball making the ready for play already in progress.   The offense comes up to the line and the player is still trying to fix his equipment.  If we stop the play clock to fix these types of equipment issues, per the rule book the player needs to be replaced for a down.

If a player has to take his hat off to fix an issue, I'm encouraging him to get off the field. If he does, fine. I'm not stopping or resetting. If not, I'm forced to call an official's timeout, send him off, get a replacement and reset the 25. Same way with the chin strap or other prolonged repairs. Common sense goes a long way in determining what to do. If I or a teammate can pull a jersey back over a pad, or a player can refasten a chinstrap in a couple of seconds, do it. If not, send him off.

[Magician]

If a player has to take his hat off to fix an issue, I'm encouraging him to get off the field. If he does, fine. I'm not stopping or resetting. If not, I'm forced to call an official's timeout, send him off, get a replacement and reset the 25. Same way with the chin strap or other prolonged repairs. Common sense goes a long way in determining what to do. If I or a teammate can pull a jersey back over a pad, or a player can refasten a chinstrap in a couple of seconds, do it. If not, send him off.

Exactly! And this is no different with the 25-second play clock. Stop it if you have to. Send them off if you feel it's necessary. Restart at 25 when all is good.