Uniforms

[Brian Watson]

Does anyone have an opinion on body suits in HS competition?
We had a good discussion at our association meeting last night on whether a body suit with shorts qualifies as a legal uniform. Remember the rule book states the shirt must be tucked in. Does a body suit count as tucked in? Also, if the competitor peels their suit down after the race, does this violate the new uniform removal rule? I am interested knowing how other parts of the country are interpreting the rule.

[JMcGonigle]

'Tucked in' means under the shorts, therefore
legal. Body suits are a part of the uniform other than shoes therefore removing the straps constitutes a violation. This is precisely the activity whic prompted the rule change in the first place. My opinion of the whole HS uniform situation is that they should adopt the NCAA uniform rule - if it does not expose the midriff, if a hip number can be applied to the UNIFORM, if a contestant number can be attached FRONT and BACK and everybody on the team has the identical uniform then it should be legal. It would be very difficult to design an objectionable garment that meets these requirements, especially the hip number requirement.

[JMcGonigle]

'Tucked in' means under the shorts, therefore
legal. Body suits are a part of the uniform other than shoes therefore removing the straps constitutes a violation. This is precisely the activity which prompted the rule change in the first place. My opinion of the whole HS uniform situation is that they should adopt the NCAA uniform rule - if it does not expose the midriff, if a hip number can be applied to the UNIFORM, if a contestant number can be attached FRONT and BACK and everybody on the team has the identical uniform then it should be legal. It would be very difficult to design an objectionable garment that meets these requirements, especially the hip number requirement. Handle shirts and undergarments under the pants as the rule currently stands.

[Brian Watson]

The case book states that the wearing of a leotard and school issued shorts are illegal. I am making the jump that leotard and body suit are the same, so ...illegal?

[rskirbal]

If the body suit is an issued uniform I feel it can be legally worn. If the athlete wants to wear it under shorts, that too is legal.
If the body suit is peeled down in the competition area, that is a violation, and the athlete should be warned. Also, if it is down prior to the event, and the athlete pulls it up, that is also a violation of the rule.
I have been to NCAA meets that the athletes (female) top does not meet or go into the shorts, and these are school issued uniforms. Also, some of the college athletes think it's cool to slap the hip number on their bare leg. Go figure!!

[Theisey]

sorry, but NFHS rules do not allow for body suits as the uniform so they cannot be issued by the high school and therefore you cannot consider them, no matter how you feel, to be legal.
Maybe in the coming years, but not at this time.
They can wear such a suit under their school issued shorts and full length jersey.

Since they cannot wear just the body suit, you would not techically have a problem with an athlete peeling them down. But lets say the high school athlete could were this type of uniform, then you would be correct on issuing a warning if they did happen to peel the uniform down.

As far as NCAA meets go, as long as the bottom of the athletes (female or male) top meets the top of his/her shorts when standing still, the uniform requirement as been meet. They only have to tuck them if longer and the hip number becomes obscured.
The clerk of the meet tells them were to place the hip numbers and by rule, they are not to be worn on the thigh or leg.
Uniform warnings for lowering the shoulder straps of a body suit fully apply to NCAA and warnings should be issued.