Knee Pads?
 

Guys,

Is there any length or color requirements for knee pads? Around here, most of the kids are wearing a sleeve looking garment but it has a knee pad in the middle of it. To be more specific, it is a knee pad that is approximately 3' long.

I can't find any requirements or restrictions on "knee pads". Would you consider this a knee pad or a sleeve?

Check with your state. Here (IL), it's a sleeve ( a decision with which I agree). A "knee pad" woll have (almost) no material beyond the padding.

Bob,

I, too, think the IL decision is a good decision. But, is your check with the state suggestion because the FED has not addressed knee pads' restrictions or requirements at this time?

It's because FED doesn't define specific products into specific categories -- and in this instance didn't really need to until this "hybrid" product came out.

I know that Bob and Ronny have stated their opinion. But since I am old (the "Ancient Days") enough to remember players (H.S., college, and professional) wearing knee (and elbow) pads my opinion is the opposite. It is my opinion, and I do not believe that the Rules can contradict my opinion, that if the sleeve has padding for either the knee (or elbow) it is a knee (or elbow) pad.

MTD, Sr.

One Picture Is Worth ...
 

Leg compression sleeve:

http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.47715...67831&pid=15.1

Knee pad:

http://ts1.explicit.bing.net/th?id=H...80032&pid=15.1

Combination leg compression sleeve, and knee pad:

http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.45969...80065&pid=15.1

Since the combination leg compression sleeve, and knee pad, has a compression sleeve component to it, I'm calling it a compression sleeve in my games until I hear otherwise from my local IAABO board, IAABO international, my state interscholastic sports governing body, or the NFHS.

Of course, like anything else on this Forum, when Rome ...

Unless they're wearing them for medical reasons, I don't allow the sleeves in my games, even if there is padding in the knee area. I'm assuming that soon we will start having leggings with padding in them but that won't make them knee pads that are legal to wear in the game.

Maybe NFHS should just require all uniforms to be uni-body suits like skiers or swimmers wear (with all pads, etc. underneath) and then we won't have to worry about all of the fashion police rules we have now.

That’s a slippery slope on which to slide. Better to ask the HC, “Coach, the leg/arm sleeves are being worn for medical reasons, correct?” Let him/her say “Yes” to the leading question and be on your way. At that point the only reason I’ll address them is a logo issue or their color (black, white, beige or a single solid school color and everyone on the team has to wear the same color).

Every area treats this differently -- some "assume" medical reasons, some make you ask, some require a note, etc.

Where in the NFHS Rules does it say that the wearing of knee pads and elbow pads prohibited?

MTD, Sr.

It doesn't say anything about knee/elbow pads and I never said it did. It DOES say that the sleeves are prohibited unless medically necessary and I stated earlier that in my opinion these are sleeves with pads, not knee pads. Reference the pictures provided if there is confusion about my interpretations. I have no problem with "real" knee pads.

And, for the record, I address this in pregame exactly as jetmetfan suggested and if the coach says they are necessary then I let it go. But I have had a few coaches say "I don't know" so its not always an easy fix.

Six Of One, Half Dozen Of Another ...
 

It appears that one person's knee pads with sleeves are another's sleeves with knee pads.

Either, eyether? Neither, nyther? Potato, potaeto? Tomato, tomaeto?

I have seen these compression sleeves with pads. But the pads are protecting the shins. Not knees.

These are sleeves, imo.

Retailers even market them that way.

I think they are more shin pads than anything, as I rarely see the padding on the knee.