NFHS Guidance for Opening up High School Sports

[jwkde]

NFHS has published the attached document.  Interesting in the points of emphasis:

V.  Plastic shields covering the entire face (or attached to a helmet) shall not be allowed during contests. Their use during practices increases the risk of unintended injury to the person wearing the shield or teammates.

This looks to me to eliminate the use of the clear, non-tinted shields previously allowed.

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[HLinNC]

No, its to eliminate someone wearing a PPE shield during a game.

[ilyazhito]

Eye shields are OK. However, a plastic shield that covers the entire face might be dangerous, because it could present a respiratory hazard.

[CalhounLJ]

I'm sure that's the case, but I for one know officials who will take this literally and try to ban any type of face shield attached to the helmet, including an eye shield, using the comment in parenthesis as the basis for their justification. When read literally, this seems to suggest that any plastic shield attached to a helmet is now illegal.

V.  Plastic shields covering the entire face (or attached to a helmet) shall not be allowed during contests

can easily be read: "Plastic shields ...attached to a helmet... shall not be allowed during contests.

[jwkde]

yes that was my thought - not worded well IMHO

[HLinNC]

V.  Plastic shields covering the entire face

Actually fairly self-explanatory.  I know, I know there's always "that guy".  Hopefully he's not the umpire.

[peterparsons]

How will something like this be considered against these guidelines?

https://www.schuttsports.com/splash-shield.html

[CalhounLJ]

Exactly. Thanks Peter. I've seen those on the field.

[CalhounLJ]

V.  Plastic shields covering the entire face

Actually fairly self-explanatory.  I know, I know there's always "that guy".  Hopefully he's not the umpire.

It's actually this part that's confusing: (or attached to a helmet)

[HLinNC]

Matt Sumstine posted on the FB page that state interpreters have received info that NFHS will allow these shields attached to the mask. 

 I'm believing that the PPE style masks such as these-  https://news.nike.com/news/nike-ppe-face-shields-covid-19-support - will not.

While these PPE masks look too unwieldy to be worn under a helmet, I try to never underestimate the thought processes of a coach, parent, or kid.

[AlUpstateNY]

Often, "Youth Football" makes up and listens to the beat of it's own (different) drum".  If I had a nickle for every, even the really cool, armbands sold to (ill informed) parents, encouraged by ignorant (or deceptive) merchants, I'd be far wealthier. 

Restricting their use to activities before, or after, actual games seriously restricts their value, or purpose.

[KWH]

The NFHS put out a press release on June 5,2020 stating:

The NFHS was just notified of this new football product that is being manufactured by Schutt Sports for their football face mask.  The product was reviewed by the NFHS today.  The Schutt Sports “Splash Shield” as shown will be permissible for competition and is compliant with current 2020 NFHS Football Rule 1-5-3c(4) as long as it is clear and has no tint.  The NFHS is not endorsing or mandating this product! 

https://www.schuttsports.com/splash-shield.html


That NIKE thing:

https://news.nike.com/news/nike-ppe-face-shields-covid-19-support   

is clearly not designed for football and would be deemed illegal equipment.

[HLinNC]

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