My referee has told me that all elbow pads (pading and sleeve type) are illegal by rule, unless they are protecting an injury. I can not find the specific rule that makes them illegal in the NFHS rule book. I have had many coaches upset by me telling the players that they can't play with the pads/sleeves.

Any advice?

Talk about looking for boogers!!!! That is certainly a great way to get yourselves in a "groove" with the coaches even before the game starts. Surely you Fed guys have more to worry about than that kind of stuff???

We have had a number of players start putting Tuff Skin on those sleeves to aid in the carrying of the football. Also, I know the padded forarm sleeve from Under Armour does not have the NFHS/NCAA stamp because of the inner part is made to grip the ball easy.

There's nothing in the rule book about elbow pads being illegal except in reference to illegal color and having an uncoverd hard surface and exposed edge. So, in my book, elbow pads are legal.