NFHS Rules Question
 

Varsity Boys NFHS. Player number 22 has on a long sleeve jersey and long pants. Coach tells R1 that #22 belongs to a church that does not allow him to wear short sleeve shirts (elbows must be covered) and he must wear long pants. Can #22 play in this uniform and what is the rule?

The rule is 3-5-6.
"....If the undershirt has sleeves, they shall be the same length."

Pants may be worn. Tights may not. (3-5-7)

As long as color and logo requirements are met.

NFHS Rules Question
 

The uniform top was exactly like the rest of the team jerseys except it was long sleeve. Can he play in it? What if the (tights) had feet in them and come up under the shorts. I believe socks are not part of the uniform.

Long socks are not restricted.

Are you saying his actual jersey had long sleeves?

Yes. The "same" requirement is refereeing to the sleeve vs. the right sleeve of a single jersey. Different players may have different length sleeves.

I think those would be socks (if they have feet in them). The height of socks is not regulated.

I can't find a single rule reference that mentions the sleeve length of a jersey. All sleeve references for shirts apply to undershirts, not jerseys.

He can wear long-sleeved jersye and pants.

WHat he can't (by rule) wear is tights under his shorts.

I would also be careful if someone is doing something for a religious reason rather than just wearing something for show or cosmetic reasons. I would check with your local state or association for any exceptions to those rules. And this is certainly the case when safety is not at issue.

In my state we have kind of been told to not get in the way of religious expressions like this. Now they need to give some information to the state that is the reasoning, but I would leave it alone if that was the given reason.

We had a girl in the northern suburbs that was a Muslim who basically wore sweats under her jersey and some official tried to make a big deal out of this and brought this situation to light.

Peace

I agree. I had a girl in a JV game a few years ago who wore long sleeves, for religious reasons. The only problem was they were blue and her jersey was white. We allowed it and reported to the state.

I would have NOT allowed it and reported it to the state. I agree, though, that the state needs to make a decision and let it be known to schools and officials.

I was hesitant at the time, but I was new to Rome (my first year in that city) and working with local royalty. It wasn't a hill worth, well, you know.

I likely would not have allowed that either.

Peace

...Middle School game? In these parts, if it meant the player was not going to get to play...we would have allowed it.

This was high school JV. First game of the season.

...Gotcha...yep, H.S. they should know better...Middle School, training/learning grounds.

I have to admit -- as soon as someone said "religious grounds" I probably would've let her play with the blue long sleeves. I'm not really willing to be "that guy" over something like this.

And yes, if she wore tights for the same reason, I'd have the same answer. Even at the varsity level (where I spend all my time).

Same here

Not here. Such religious apparel, that which is normally not allowed by rule, requires a permission letter from the state office to be available at the game and presented to the referee.

The problem with allowing stuff like this without authorization is that you make if more difficult for the next guy. The rule is the rule. The school knows the rule - if they have a reason to make an exception, they KNEW IN ADVANCE that they needed it. It's not like the player suddenly showed up on game day in non-standard clothes... I'm sure they'd been aware long before that.

The problem with deciding, on your own, that "religious expression" is allowed on one night is that you may be faced with a different religious expression that you don't allow - and then you have a mess.

What if, instead of long sleeves or tight/socks, some guy showed up to a game with a huge 666 on his body, and proclaimed it was required by his religion - Satanism - that he wear it.

We're not quite that organized. I'm pretty much left to make the call at the time it happens, on site. Two places I don't want to fight alone -- religious expression and reasonable accommodation / ADA issues.