Rules changes for next year

[FMadera]

Originally Posted by blueump

The hardest part to get used to is when the libero heads from the RB to the LB to serve.

I hope you meant LB to RB.

[Texas Aggie]

I haven't done VB since the early '90s and only did it for a couple of years, but I read with some interest the rules changes. The uniform deal struck me. We (in Texas) wore shorts at least during regular season but I'm seeing pictures of officials wearing pants. But this is from different officiating chapters who may have different rules.

If I read the rule change right, it seems to give the blessing to shorts. I don't understand the problem: soccer folks wear shorts outside in freezing weather. Unlike hoops, there really isn't any need for support items under the pants, so why the lack of tolerance in some cases for shorts? In my opinion, a good pair of shorts with the white shirt looks just as professional as pants. We aren't talking about work here, but a sport!

Thoughts?

[MCBear]

Aggie, individual states have had the option to allow shorts to be worn in extremely hot, humid weather (or, in the case of California - when the temperature exceeds 100 degrees in the desert according to CIF guidelines).

The main concern with the shorts involved female officials who tended to wear shorts with very little inseam (at least that was what was always mentioned during rules interpretation meetings in Ohio when I lived there).

[Texas Aggie]

Seems to me that's easily fixed by mandating for both men and women shorts that go to the knee. Schools (uniforms) have been doing that for years.

If I remember correctly, we wore shorts, then when I was given a playoff assignment, I was told to wear pants. Good thing I did hoops as I had a pair. Of course, we wore the stripped shirts for no good reason. I'm glad they've got yall in the white shirts. It looks better and I know its much more comfortable.

[blueump]

If California can wear their shorts can't we in Michigan wear our snowmobile suits? Some of these school gyms have computerized heating systems that turn all the heat off at 3:00 p.m. each day! By the time we start the match (3 hours later) the temp has dropped 30 degrees!

[MCBear]

blue, that would require that Gina & MHSAA to issue a directive allowing you to wear the appropriate snowmobile suit! I understand what you are saying since I refereed in Southeast Lower Michigan as well as Northern Ohio until I moved out here to the left coast in 1993.

Seriously though, the only time that our CIF officials are allowed to wear shorts is when the temperature is over 100 degrees and only in the schools located in the desert communities where it occurs. For those of us in the majority of the state, we never are allowed to legally wear shorts during HS matches.

Best suggestion I can give you is what I learned to do in San Francisco - layer the clothing so that when it is cold you are comfortable and when (if) it warms up, you can remove a layer or two (or three or as required) to remain comfortable.

[blueump]

We've ended up wearing our black MHSAA jackets over our white shirts through many matches. I know it's not proper procedure according to the NFS, but then again, it's not their frostbite! According to the Constitution, if I have the right to "bare arms" I should have the right to cover them!