Anybody who says “rules are rules” is full of it - and I’ll prove it.
Let’s imagine the girl’s bracelet got stuck on the pole and she broke her wrist.
Lawsuit. And would the girl be responsible for her broken wrist, because she broke the rules? Nope. Her lawyer would argue that the coaches had the responsibilit for checking for obvious violations such as jewelry before the match - both coaches. Reason? Students have to be pre-judged as non-competent, otherwise the school can’t limit their rights. So this this is EXACTLY how she would win a lawsuit (or her parents would).
But she didn’t break her wrist, and so the coach who otherwise would be held responsible if she got hurt and the kid had lawyers gets to invoke a rule that actually, legally applies to him more than her - and then he shakes his finger at her and cites rules are rules and steals the championship away from her superior performance.
So don’t tell me about rules. If this girl’s family was worth millions and could afford to sic a lawyer at these rule-spouting jerks, they’f be hanged by the very rules they are smashing her down with.
And THAT’s the truth about the “rules.”
We have similar rules in our league. The students know them, and know the consequences of violating them. Can’t tell you how many bracelets, nose rings, studs and earrings I’ve wound up with in my pockets at the request of the athletes at the meets I have attended. Fighting and changing the rules is another issue. Coaches who may try to get an unearned win by nitpicking are another matter entirely.