a. All players shall be numbered 0 through 99. Any number preceded by the digit zero such as “07” or “00” is illegal.
b. No two players of the same team shall participate in the same down wearing identical numbers.
c. Markings in the vicinity of the numbers are not permitted.
PENALTY [a-c]—Live-ball foul. Five yards from the previous spot [S23].
d. When a player enters the game after changing their jersey number, the player must report to the referee. The officiating crew informs the opposing head coach and the referee announces the change. A player who enters the game after changing their number and does not report commits a foul for unsportsmanlike conduct. [S27].
PENALTY [d]—Live-ball foul. 15 yards from the previous spot [S27]. Flagrant offenders shall be ejected [S47].
Approved Ruling 1-4-2 I. The Team A player who started the game wearing jersey number 77 enters the game wearing number 88. RULING: The player must report to the Referee who, without stopping the game or play clock, uses his microphone to announce the change and the relevant flank official informs the opposing head coach. If A88 fails to report it is a foul for unsportsmanlike conduct.
