NFHS Rules Question

[benbret]

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?

[Adam]

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.

[benbret]

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.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by benbret

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?

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by benbret

The uniform top was exactly like the rest of the team jerseys except it was long sleeve. Can he play in it?

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

Originally Posted by benbret

What if the (tights) had feet in them and come up under the shorts. I believe socks are not part of the uniform.

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

[Adam]

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.

[bob jenkins]

He can wear long-sleeved jersye and pants.

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

[JRutledge]

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