876GEL15
01-22-2004, 05:14 PM
The primary function of shoulder pads are to protect the clavicle (collarbone). During an equipment check, an official is checking to make sure that the player’s shoulder pads cover and protect the clavicle. Realistically additional protection on shoulder pads is purely a matter of personal choice. This additional protection does little to prevent personal injury. I recommend using “old style hockey shoulder pads” and removing the sleeve protection. Usually brand new, never used pairs can be found, and are typically white and look like old lacrosse shoulder pads. New or used, they are the best value, while still providing excellent protection and comfort. The cost rarely exceeds $30, usually $10-$15. Trust me, you will have the lightest most comfortable shoulder pads giving you virtually unobstructed range of motion while still receiving maximum protection. You will be the envy of all your teammates. Is this considered acceptable? If a player removes the sleeves from his shoulder pads, is that legal? Does this removal of the sleeves compromise the protective features?
Interpretation of Rule 1-22: the cutting or altering of gloves and shoulder pads is prohibited and Rule 5-6: the shoulder pads cannot be altered in such a manor that it compromises the protective features.
A.) When specific words and/or phrases “cutting or altering" are repeated throughout a document. They must be interpreted the exact same way each time they appear. Not doing so weakens the creditability of the document and the person trying to enforce it. It is clearing established previously and throughout the rule book, that “cutting or altering” is intended to mean that by doing so the player had gained and illegal advantage (e.g. cut out palms), or distorted the protective qualities of said equipment, so that said equipment now presents a danger to the player or other individuals on the field.
B.) Presently, shoulder pads can be purchased with or without sleeves. Both styles are legal. By design, shoulder pads are clearly not supposed to be able to protect the player and absorb the impact from substantial collisions. Unlike football shoulder pads, whose principal purpose is to protect the player and absorb the impact from substantial collisions. “Warning: These pads are designed to protect a lacrosse player from the normal scrapes and bruises of the game, not from the very rare blow severe enough to break a bone,” Brine. This quote comes directly off a pair of shoulder pads. It is understood and accepted by everyone that addition of sleeves on your shoulder pads will provide the player with any additional support or protective value.
C.) Exposure to new demographic groups is essential to sustain the nationwide growth lacrosse been experiencing. It is important that these potential groups are encouraged to participate, and not be dissuaded because of costs. Outfitting a team or a player is expensive. Therefore, finding and using alternate methods of obtaining functional and safe protective equipment should be supported and encouraged. This will ensure continued growth of our sport.
Answer: I think that if a player carefully removes the sleeves from the shoulder pads, the result does not provide any advantage to that player. Nor, in this manor does it compromise the protective features of the pads.
Comments? Opinions?
Interpretation of Rule 1-22: the cutting or altering of gloves and shoulder pads is prohibited and Rule 5-6: the shoulder pads cannot be altered in such a manor that it compromises the protective features.
A.) When specific words and/or phrases “cutting or altering" are repeated throughout a document. They must be interpreted the exact same way each time they appear. Not doing so weakens the creditability of the document and the person trying to enforce it. It is clearing established previously and throughout the rule book, that “cutting or altering” is intended to mean that by doing so the player had gained and illegal advantage (e.g. cut out palms), or distorted the protective qualities of said equipment, so that said equipment now presents a danger to the player or other individuals on the field.
B.) Presently, shoulder pads can be purchased with or without sleeves. Both styles are legal. By design, shoulder pads are clearly not supposed to be able to protect the player and absorb the impact from substantial collisions. Unlike football shoulder pads, whose principal purpose is to protect the player and absorb the impact from substantial collisions. “Warning: These pads are designed to protect a lacrosse player from the normal scrapes and bruises of the game, not from the very rare blow severe enough to break a bone,” Brine. This quote comes directly off a pair of shoulder pads. It is understood and accepted by everyone that addition of sleeves on your shoulder pads will provide the player with any additional support or protective value.
C.) Exposure to new demographic groups is essential to sustain the nationwide growth lacrosse been experiencing. It is important that these potential groups are encouraged to participate, and not be dissuaded because of costs. Outfitting a team or a player is expensive. Therefore, finding and using alternate methods of obtaining functional and safe protective equipment should be supported and encouraged. This will ensure continued growth of our sport.
Answer: I think that if a player carefully removes the sleeves from the shoulder pads, the result does not provide any advantage to that player. Nor, in this manor does it compromise the protective features of the pads.
Comments? Opinions?