Can't find anything in the NFHS rules that would clarify question #95. Can A1 wear a skirt in place of pants as her uniform?

Rule 3-5-15
 

A team jersey designed to be worn inside the pants/skirt shall be tucked inside the pants/skirt and the pants/skirt shall be above the hips and worn properly.

So the answer would be True.

The closest thing I could find was Casebook 3.5.5 sit B.(2001-02)(I still don't have my new books yet)
while pants don't have to be shorts I don't think they can be skirts.

"A team jersey designed to be worn inside the "pants/skirt"shall be tucked inside the "pants/skirt" and the "pants/skirt" shall be above the hips and worn properly."

Is this a change the 01-02 3-4-15 says only pants

Yes, it's a change.

A1 should consider cheerleading.

Mot necessarily, it could be a religious thing. I did a couple of private schools last year and at one of them, most of the girls wore long pants and head covers (it was a middle eastern nationality school).

What if only 1 girl wore a skirt and the rest of the team wore shorts??? Would this be OK by the rules?

In this year's casebook(2002-2003), 3.5.5B states it is legal to wear a skirt instead of shorts for religious reasons. The exact ruling is "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."

That should clear it up.

Now if a guy wears a skirt...

...he would be Scottish!! :D

If it's for religious reasons, you can't say a thing!

I actually posted that for a reason,Juulie,and I'm glad you replied.
In the case of headwear for a religious reason,CB play 3.5SitA says that the state association MAY approve it under proper documentation as in R3-5-2Exception1.It doesn't mention skirts.Does this mean that anyone wearing a skirt on the floor should have the approval of the state governing body,the same as headwear,before you allow it?

I was wondering about this, too. But personally, if I see a guy in a skirt, I'm not going to be inclined to argue about it. He's going to have enough other "stuff" to deal with!

No. THere are few restrictions on what need be worn other than the jersey.

ANyone can wear pants or a skirt or shorts.

Agree,Bob. Now let me run this by you. How about track pants with large pockets? Legal or not?

That depends -- are you deeming the "large pockets" to be unsafe or giving the person an advantage?

Agree,Bob. Now let me run this by you. How about track pants with large pockets? Legal or not? [/B][/QUOTE]

That depends -- are you deeming the "large pockets" to be unsafe or giving the person an advantage?

[/B][/QUOTE]The pockets are large enough that it would be possible to catch an opponent's hand in 'em if they brushed by.Would you deem them unsafe,and refuse permission for a player to wear them(even if used for religious purposes)?

I honestly can't think of any way that there could be a player advantage to large pockets-unless they were big enough to pull the "hiddenball" trick.:D

As far as religious articles, this consist of headwear and jewelry. All jewelry must be taped. In our case, the item must be on file with the state. I would allow the kid to play with it and then the next day check with the state to see if something is actully on file. If it is, we are good to go, if not, the state can step in a deal with the problem.

As far as skirts go. There are many religious groups from various Brethern, Baptist, Penticostal and other sects who would require skirts to be worn by the girls. Not the boys. So this had been added as an editorial change to the rule book.

Jewish headwear.
 

The IHSA told us to allow Jewish players wearing those things on the heads that men wear (I am so sorry, I do not know the name) with pins to keep them in place. Officials were told them to allow this with a letter from the state. There are some very big Jewish communities around here and this is something we have to deal with. I personally have never done a game with this, but I might with one of the teams I have this year.

Peace

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jurassic Referee

Quote:

[i]]The pockets are large enough that it would be possible to catch an opponent's hand in 'em if they brushed by. Would you deem them unsafe...

How about taping them shut?

Rut, how about taping the yarmulke (little head thing for Jewish boys) on instead of bobbypins?

After a summer of watching the Red/Green Show instead of working games, I'm thinking every ref should carry a roll of duct tape in their bag!

Would I? Probably not.

But if YOU deem them unsafe, then you can refuse to allow the player to wear them.

That was the point of my question -- it's official's judgment as outlined in some case in 3.5 (I think -- I'm without my books at the moment)

Just because it's a religion thing (praying to the God of Big Pockets?) doesn't mean a player can wear unsafe clothing, etc.

I think not. Do we deem the collar or arm opening of the shirt unsafe?

Do we tape the arm/neck holes shut?

I don't think that the pockets are anymore of a hazard than the shirt's openings or just a fold in the shirt or shorts/pants.

I asked the questions because pretty well the exact same situation came up in the first game that a local girl's frosh team played last year.The young R doing the game called me at home to check the ruling.There were 2 girls on the team from the Middle East/India area.Because of religious reasons,the girls wore long-sleeved sweatshirts under the team shirt(same color),and track pants under the uniform shorts(same color).The track pants had rather large pockets on them.I told the R:
1)The long-sleeved sweatshirts were OK.
2)They could wear the track pants,but had to remove the uniform shorts to do so.
3)It was up to the R whether the pockets could maybe be a hazard,but he should rule on the lenient side,if possible,and let the kids play.
I also talked to the head coach and asked her to provide our association with a letter for our files saying that the track pants were necessary for religious reasons,and also suggested to her that she try to dig up a coupla pair of pants for the girls with smaller or no pockets.From then on,they both played in pants with no pockets.
The girls are both playing JV ball this year,and are still dressed the same.