New Uniform Expectation for NFHS

[Freddy]

1.6.1 (p.13) New: "No jewelry, except wedding band, shall be worn by officials while officiating a game. Fitness bands, rubber bands are considered the same as jewelry."

Just an FYI for those of you whose states' use NFHS mechanics.

[SC Official]

We use NFHS exclusively, in theory anyway. While it's great that the FED doesn't want FitBits being worn, there's no one in my state that will likely enforce the directive.

[UNIgiantslayers]

I'm glad to see this. I've had a lot of conversations centered around this topic and there were a lot of differing opinions. Good stuff this year and last from the Fed with regard to officials mechanics, uniforms, etc. in my opinion.

[Kansas Ref]

Yes, thanks to the NF for clarifying / enforcing such "jewelry" (i.e., fitbits, spirit bands, multi-colored rubbers, etc...): several guys whom I officiate with wear 2 or 3 multi-colored rubber spirit bands that are dangling on their wrists --not unlike my daughter's faux gold n silver bangle bracelets she buys at the Forever21 store. Just an all around bad look for a mature professional man who is charged with arbitrating a public competitive contest--the optics are not good. However, who is going to enforce it to partner refs? Should it be me, or the coaches?
I know that about twice per season there is an "under-cover" observer from the local association at the games--but that is too infrequent to cause a change in "fashion-behavior". Nevertheless, it's good to see a starting point.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Kansas Ref

... multi-colored rubbers ...

Back when I was a hormone driven teenager in high school, during the middle part of the twentieth century, this (above) had a very different meaning than that intended by Kansas Ref.

[Nevadaref]

I know a few guys who wear fitbits around their ankle while officiating. It is covered by pants and even a sock, so it doesn't show. It stil tracks what they desire, so I believe that they have found a workable solution.

[Kansas Ref]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Back when I was a hormone driven teenager in high school, during the middle part of the twentieth century, this (above) had a very different meaning than that intended by Kansas Ref.

*ahem, Mr. Billy Mac...; observation duly noted.