Tights

[Juulie Downs]

When my daughter played, there was a girl on another team that got an exception from the state office so that she could wear tights. Her reason was religious, she was Muslim and didn't want to expose her skin. There was a girl at my daughter's school that did the same thing, but it was for cheerleading, not basketball. I expect the rules aren't the same there.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Juulie Downs

When my daughter played, there was a girl on another team that got an exception from the state office so that she could wear tights. Her reason was religious, she was Muslim and didn't want to expose her skin.

I'm glad that this deeply religious young lady was allowed to play. However, I can't find any NFHS rule, that would allow tights below the knee for a religious reason. There is a rule, 3-5-3 Exception b, that covers, no pun intended, head coverings for religious reasons, and a rule, 3-5-7, that covers religious medals, but I can't find one for tights. She could have, by rule, just worn long pants.

[Nevadaref]

No tights period. End of story.
No medical excuse, no religious excuse can alter that rule. The case play is very clear on that. The player can wear pants if he/she wishes.

3.5.6 SITUATION B:

A player, for religious reasons, may not wear shorts.
Would he/she be able to wear tights under the basketball uniform shorts, warmups
or a skirt instead of shorts? RULING: NFHS basketball uniform rules do not
require that the uniform pants be "shorts." However, undergarments or tights may
not be worn which extend below the pants, therefore wearing tights “below the
uniform shorts” would be illegal. The player could wear long pants or a skirt as
the uniform "bottom" and be in compliance. (3-4)

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

No tights period. End of story.
No medical excuse, no religious excuse can alter that rule. The case play is very clear on that. The player can wear pants if he/she wishes.

NFHS 3-5-2-d Guards, casts, braces and compression sleeves must meet the following guidelines: d. Must be worn for medical reasons.

I agree that there is no way that tights can be worn for religious reason, as 3.5.6.b clearly, and specifically, points out (Nice citation Nevadaref), however, the case play does not refer to a medical reason, just a religious reason.

Could 3-5-2-d allow tights, or compression sleeves, of any color, and/or, any length, for a documented medical reason? I say no, but I'm playing Devil's advocate here, and my client would like to know if there are further citations beyond 3-5-6 that would specifically not allow tights/compression sleeves, of any length, and/or color, for documented medical reasons?

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

NFHS 3-5-2-d Guards, casts, braces and compression sleeves must meet the following guidelines: d. Must be worn for medical reasons.

I agree that there is no way that tights can be worn for religious reason, as 3.5.6.b clearly, and specifically, points out (Nice citation Nevadaref), however, the case play does not refer to a medical reason, just a religious reason.

Could 3-5-2-d allow tights, or compression sleeves, of any color, and/or, any length, for a documented medical reason? I say no, but I'm playing Devil's advocate here, and my client would like to know if there are further citations beyond 3-5-6 that would specifically not allow tights/compression sleeves, of any length, and/or color, for documented medical reasons?

No. Tights are not compression sleeves.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

No. Tights are not compression sleeves.

My client concurs. Thanks.

[derwil]

State office came back and said the we need to examine the Dr's excuse and deternine if it is medically necessary. If so, he can play. So I guess we all need to go to medical school.

Tonight in the championship game, his equipment manager had too much... ummm..."celebration" from the Alabama/Auburn game and left the excuse back at the school. No excuse/no tights. He ended up with 21 point including the game winning 3 with time running out. Just think about what he'd have done with the tights!

[JRutledge]

If there are religious reasons, I would check with your local authorities on that. There might be a "wavier" for those that have a religious reasoning for such an item. If there is no "wavier, then they are technically illegal. But understand that if someone wants to, they might just sue you over that. I understand the rule, but I am not willing to be sued over something to prevent something from being illegal if the item is not unsafe or if the item is only illegal for esthetics.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

If there are religious reasons, I would check with your local authorities on that. There might be a "wavier" for those that have a religious reasoning for such an item.

Wouldn't the governing body that writes the waiver know enough about the rules to simple tell the player to wear pants, that are perfectly legal, instead of tights, that are illegal. I'm not a theologian, nor do I play one on television, but I doubt that there's a religion out there that requires their followers to wear tights. There probably are religions that require their followers to cover their legs in public, which can be accomplished with a pair of pants.

I officiated a girls game involving a local Christan school a few years ago that had players wearing skirts. Odd looking, but legal.

I just realized that there are several straight lines here for Mark Padgett to take advantage of, but I'll leave them in to make my point.

[Adam]

While Nevada is right about the rule, go with what your state says. My state, for example, is not willing to fight this battle with religion, and we are merely to report the issue to the state when a player claims religious reasons for covering their legs.

[mutantducky]

- different topic- leg pads?I haven't seen anyone use it but my friend said a few rec players were and I think saw Wade of the Heat wearing these type of leg pads around the thigh. Maybe not Wade but I've seen at least one NBA player wear them. I didn't think they would be legal in HS or if there is even a rule yet for them.

[Caesar's Ghost]

I have seen a player wear regular length compression shorts and then extremely long sock that went well above the knees. Same effect as tights but apparently legal.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Caesar's Ghost

Caesar's Ghost.

Welcome newbie. You must be a Superman fan. "Yes, it's Superman, strange visitor from another planet, with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men! Superman, who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel with his bare hands, and who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice and the American way!"

I love quotes, especially those from popular culture, like movies, and television. Also, note my signature. This is my new "thing", since I gave up posting images. So far, nobody has complained. I'm sure that the honeymoon, and the novelty, will end soon, an intervention will take place, and I will be encouraged to head in another direction. My fellow Forum members are always looking out for my best interests.

[Caesar's Ghost]

No Im not a superman fan, just an official who was told about this sight and the good officiating knowledge. Are there others?