Full Length Tights

[Scrapper1]

This is, in my opinion, a stupid rule. I can see reasons for a lot of the uniform/equipment rules, even if I don't like having to enforce them. But this one is just stupid. Why?

1) Wearing long pants instead of shorts is perfectly legal. Yet wearing long pants UNDER shorts is prohibited.

2) As others have already pointed out, the rules do not limit the length of socks (thank God!). So you can wear socks that extend up from the foot, past the knee, all the way up the thigh if you want. There's no way to tell just from looking at the player if s/he's wearing tights or very high socks. There's no reason to treat these differently.

3) Leg sleeves are becoming more popular, particularly in the college game. And like socks, these go over the knee and onto the thigh, so that it's impossible to tell if they are sleeves or tights. Yet these, too, are perfectly legal. Why are they treated differently???

I'm submitting a rule change proposal to the NCAA to make tights and leg sleeves legal, as long as they are a single solid color similar to the dominant color of the game pants. No idea if it will get any attention, but I'm hopeful.

[OKREF]

There is an easy way to tell. Socks and compression tights are two different materials. Also the tights usually have the same padded spot for the knees that arm compressions sleeves have for the elbows.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by OKREF

There is an easy way to tell. Socks and compression tights are two different materials. Also the tights usually have the same padded spot for the knees that arm compressions sleeves have for the elbows.

My eyes aren't that good.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by OKREF

There is an easy way to tell. Socks and compression tights are two different materials. Also the tights usually have the same padded spot for the knees that arm compressions sleeves have for the elbows.

I think they put so much on their legs, it is really hard to tell anymore. I honestly do not know why we should have to look for this stuff. This has so many uncomfortable situations this puts us in if we check for these things. I can only imagine what it is like when girls are involved. The NF really needs to get out of this business. This to me is like socks, who cares?

Peace

[VaTerp]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I think they put so much on their legs, it is really hard to tell anymore. I honestly do not know why we should have to look for this stuff. This has so many uncomfortable situations this puts us in if we check for these things. I can only imagine what it is like when girls are involved. The NF really needs to get out of this business. This to me is like socks, who cares?

Peace

I had a kid a couple of weeks ago wearing high socks, knee pads, and some sort of tights/compression thing.

It looked like full length tights to me so I explained to him that he couldn't wear anything that extended below the shorts. After some back and forth about exactly what he was wearing I decided to let it go b/c it wasnt worth 30 seconds of my life talking to a teenager about what he was wearing to play basketball.

I did inform his coach of the rule but told him we weren't sure about what he was wearing so we were letting him play with it tonight. Coach responds, "that's my son and I'm so pissed at him for having all of that crap on in the first place."

Over the last two seasons I've had several players remove what were clearly tights. But kids, emulating what they see in the NBA, put on so much crap now, that I really don't go looking to play fashion police unless it's obvious.

And I agree with others that this rule needs to be updated. I can see the point of not allowing baggy clothing under shorts but with all of the compression type gear out now I don't see the problem with allowing tights if that's what silly kids want to wear these days.

[JetMetFan]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I think they put so much on their legs, it is really hard to tell anymore. I honestly do not know why we should have to look for this stuff. This has so many uncomfortable situations this puts us in if we check for these things. I can only imagine what it is like when girls are involved. The NF really needs to get out of this business. This to me is like socks, who cares?

Peace

For me with guys (NFHS) I just ask, they show me and that's it. For the arm sleeves I'll ask at the pre-game meeting ("Coach, is so-and-so wearing that for medical reasons?"). I've had a few say "no," probably because they're sick of their kids wearing the stuff.

With girls (NCAAW, actual or modified) I don't have to ask about the arm sleeves, thank goodness. Since anything on their legs that extends below the shorts needs a waiver I only have to deal with the head coach...again, thank goodness.

[JRutledge]

Often times these are things not noticed until the game starts. Most teams have warm ups that cover their bodies and you only notice a problem when they get ready to play. That is just the unfortunate part of trying to enforce these rules, we find out (at least here) way too late. Then when we have to address the issue, it could delay the game or take out a player that should be playing. I really wish the NF would just let this stuff go. Does it really change how these kids play?

Peace

[scrounge]

Our direction this year on arm sleeves was to assume they were for medical reasons unless you knew otherwise....and no need to go asking to find the otherwise.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by scrounge

Our direction this year on arm sleeves was to assume they were for medical reasons unless you knew otherwise....and no need to go asking to find the otherwise.

That has been our policy in this state. But we still have people that insist on asking. Wwwwhhhyyyyyy??

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I really wish the NF would just let this stuff go.

Agree. Anything below the waist, if it's not a safety issue, i.e. sharp edge on a knee brace; or if it's not an illegal advantage, i.e. pogo stick sneakers, should be none of our business. Shorts, compression shorts, leg sleeves, tights, socks, and shoes, should not fall under the illegal equipment rule.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by OKREF

There is an easy way to tell. Socks and compression tights are two different materials. Also the tights usually have the same padded spot for the knees that arm compressions sleeves have for the elbows.

However, compression sleeves for the legs that extend up under the shorts and compression tights that extend below the shorts, the difference is difficult to distinguish.