Apparel 3-5

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I would not be adverse to ignoring all colors from the waist down. Color restrictions above the waist? I can take them, or leave them, as long as the NFHS keeps the color restrictions for undershirts.

This is my story and I'm sticking to it.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

By custom, in my little corner of Connecticut, we allow illegal undershirts in scrimmages. I've worked preseason jamboree type scrimmages where players from several teams wear reversible practice jerseys (for some reason Connecticut frowns upon real jerseys being worn in scrimmages) and reverse their jerseys (but not their undershirts) depending on which teams are participating that period. Based on those scrimmage experiences over forty years, I can tell you with 100% certainty that undershirt colors not matching jerseys, different color undershirts on teammates, and different color undershirts on opponents, can turn easy calls into slightly more difficult calls, especially during rebounding action, both for out of bounds, and for fouls.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I just got back from a girls scrimmage, three girls teams, all wearing reversible scrimmage vests, almost all wearing a T-shirt under their scrimmage vests, almost all white T-shirts, although there were several other colors thrown in. I'm the trail, ball goes out of bounds off the defense on my sideline. I sound my whistle, point in the correct direction, and state "White". But it wasn't white ball. It was blue ball. Why did I screw up? Because we had three teams, all with a choice of two color reversible scrimmage vests, playing alternating periods, all with mostly white T-shirts. The closest girl to me for the team that was supposed to get the ball was wearing a blue scrimmage vest, but there was a lot of white showing from underneath, two sleeves, and quite a bit of white showing from under the scoop top of the vest. I noticed that I really had to pay close attention to who was on offense, and who was on defense. Who was setting screens, and who was in the paint too long? Who was pushing who while battling for rebounds? This game is a little easier to officiate when the players are wearing the correct color undershirts.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Green jerseys and white jerseys. Lots of different undershirt colors, some legal. Instructed coaches to get it fixed (allowed light gray for white). Both coaches complain ("only middle school, we never did this before", I actually believed them) and they go to instruct their players. I can see that a few players (remember it's girls) on both teams seem be very upset. So, I call both coaches back together and say that I would be willing to compromise and that if any players were very upset they could wear the illegal undershirts ... Fourth period, partner on endline after whistle. I'm closer to the table and beckon in substitutes, lots of them, two, or three from each team. I keep my hand up until I'm sure that we have five players from each team on the court. I then realize that players on the "White Jersey Team" have both green shorts and white shorts, and the players on the "Green Jersey Team" have on both green shorts and white shorts (it's now very obvious to me that both school have the same school colors, green and white), certainly all 100% perfectly legal. But players on the "White Jersey Team" have both green undershirts and white undershirts, and the players on the "Green Jersey Team" have on both green undershirts and white undershirts. I try to count twice, still not 100% sure, now totally exasperated, near the end of my rope, and close to the breaking point, I bring my hand down and yell to my partner, "Play".

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Mike Goodwin

I might have overlooked if I hadn't had to count photos while scrolling through. That's nearly a practical joke, Zooch!

Yeah. Why did Zoochy make us work so hard?

Not funny Zoochy!

[Zoochy]

This post went out of control fast.
I still don't have a consensus on the ruling if a player is wearing different length leg tights.
Legal? or Illegal?

[bob jenkins]

NCAAW:
A.R. 14. A1 is wearing tights that extend below the game shorts. The left leg is
longer than the right leg.
RULING: Illegal. Similar to an undershirt, both legs must be the
same length. A1 may not participate until they are properly attired.
(Rule 1-23.2)

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Zoochy

I still don't have a consensus on the ruling if a player is wearing different length leg tights. Legal? or Illegal?

Asked and answered.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Legal tights ... There are no "length restrictions" on any equipment (sans headbands and wristbands) except for undershirt sleeves.

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

NCAAW: A.R. 14. A1 is wearing tights that extend below the game shorts. The left leg is longer than the right leg. RULING: Illegal. Similar to an undershirt, both legs must be the same length. A1 may not participate until they are properly attired.(Rule 1-23.2)

As far as I know, the NFHS does not have the same length restrictions and limitations on tights as NCAA-W.

NFHS: 3-5-3: Arm sleeves, knee sleeves, lower leg sleeves, compression shorts and tights are permissible:
a. Anything worn on the arm and/or leg is a sleeve, except a knee brace, and must meet the color restrictions.
b. The sleeves/tights, compression shorts must be black, white, beige or the predominant color of the jersey and the same color sleeves/tights must be worn by teammates.
c. All sleeves/tights, compression shorts must be the same solid color and must be the same color as any headband or wristband worn.
d. Meet the logo requirements in 3-6.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

NCAAW:
A.R. 14. A1 is wearing tights that extend below the game shorts. The left leg is
longer than the right leg.
RULING: Illegal. Similar to an undershirt, both legs must be the
same length. A1 may not participate until they are properly attired.
(Rule 1-23.2)

Same for Men.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Raymond

Same for Men.

Makes we wonder if the NFHS has a similar purpose and intent, but has not published any corresponding rule language?

Sign of things to come?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

NCAAW ...

Makes me wonder.

How does a college official determine the difference between tights (with their specific restrictions) and thigh sleeves, as worn for hamstring injuries (with their specific restrictions)?

No way am I asking a young woman if "those" are tights or sleeves.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Makes me wonder.

How does a college official determine the difference between tights (with their specific restrictions) and thigh sleeves (as worn for hamstring injuries)?

No way am I asking a young woman if those are tights or sleeves.

If I see a garment well below the shorts on one leg and something barely peeking out the on the other leg, I don't ask. I go to the player and tell them "Your tights have to be worn the same length on each leg." If they have only a single sleeve, they will tell us such. If the have a tight pulled up on one leg, they fix it. Don't think I've yet met a player clever enough to say one leg is a sleeve and the other is just showing the bottom of their compression shorts.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Raymond

If I see a garment well below the shorts on one leg and something barely peeking out the on the other leg, I don't ask. I go to the player and tell them "Your tights have to be worn the same length on each leg." If they have only a single sleeve, they will tell us such. If the have a tight pulled up on one leg, they fix it. Don't think I've yet met a player clever enough to say one leg is a sleeve and the other is just showing the bottom of their compression shorts.

I ask, "Do those tights have a waistband?" That usually starts the conversation and we get to the bottom of the situation. If they show me it is a tight, then they are allowed to wear them. If they show me it is an undergarment, then I tell them they cannot play with them. Then usually address it with the coach and let them deal with it.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Raymond

If I see a garment ...

Thanks Raymond. As someone will never officiate a college basketball game, I was actually thinking facetiously out loud. But I guess that it really does require some thought. I do appreciate your sincere reply. Maybe someday it will be a NFHS rule, and I'll be ready for such situations.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I ask, "Do those tights have a waistband?" That usually starts the conversation ...

Thanks JRutledge. Wow! Another college conversation I don't have to have in my high school game. I was only joking and it turned out to be a real "thing".

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Maybe someday it will be a NFHS rule, and I'll be ready for such situations.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

... we get to the bottom of the situation.

I'm not sure. Is this a pun?

JRutledge is usually so serious on the Forum. A pun like this would be so unlike his usual presence on the Forum.

Pun, or not, this is one of his funniest posts ever.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

No way am I asking a young woman if "those" are tights or sleeves.

Sixteen will get you twenty.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I'm not sure. Is this a pun?

JRutledge is usually so serious on the Forum. A pun like this would be so unlike his usual presence on the Forum.

Pun, or not, this is one of his funniest posts ever.

I am actually rather sarcastic a lot. Most of the time because that is what I do.

Peace