Legal Equipment NCAA
 

I'm watching the Notre Dame v. LSU game. I can't count the number of players (on both teams) that have exposed knees. There may be a hint of a pad but the design of the pants will not allow them to be pulled down. I this legal or is this not legal but not called?

Thanks

Well, what are you gonna do? The big boys making the big bucks at the highest level of NCAA ball let it go.

It doesn't seem to be a problem at the Dii/iii level at least with teams I've worked. Don't see enought of the D1AA teams to say what goes there.

For sure, I have not let this slip by at NFHS level games, somehow the problem magically disappears prior to gametime once pointed out.

Chinstraps are just as bad, and more of a safety issue.

Just to clarify, it is illegal to not be wearing the knee pads over the knees. I hear a lot of officials say that "the rulebook says you need kneepads, but nothing about being on the knee". This is not true. The exact wording is "Soft knee pads at least 1/2-inch thick that must cover the knees and be
covered by pants." But Theisey is right...the first "good" official that calls a penalty like that in D-1 will be the first "good" official to not be asked back the next year :)

I'll toss this balloon out to see how it breaks.

Maybe there should be a rule change even if just for a year made at the NCAA level. Simply stated, knee pads covering ones knees are optional equipment.

Of all those teams and their players we've seen all year long with exposed knees, was there any serious injuries as a result of not covering up the knee?
I don't know if there were none or if there were dozens.

Chinstraps is a different issue. You'll never catch me saying it's OK to run around with them unbuckled. If you get to the Pros, be my guest.