Mandatory Equipment

[Derek Teigen]

Happy New Year everybody.  I am a 4th year high school official so I appreciate the opportunity to discuss and learn in the National Federation Section.   I wanted to ask the NCAA officials a question and that is regarding Mandatory Equipment.   It states knee pads and mouthpieces are mandatory.

While watching a lot of college football this year especially in the bowl games I noticed a lot of players were not wearing their mouthpieces or at least the ones attached to their helmet were dangling and flopping around when the ball was live.  The knee pads are not being worn by many players.

So please allow me to ask a question and that is why are the use of these protective devices not being enforced at many of the NCAA level games?

[Etref]

It says the equipment is required and if you will notice they have knee pads just below the thigh pads. Unfortunately, the powers that be have no longer require them to actually cover the knee.

If they don’t want to back us up, we will not be the fashion police.

[ElvisLives]

Because we're frickin' tired of being put into a position of 'bad guy,' when there is no real support for enforcement of these rules by coaches and administrators. Coaches have no interest in requiring compliance by their players. Then we're seen as 'over-officious' by coaches and administrators when we attempt to insist on compliance. Even coordinators don't have much expectation of enforcement, because they, too, recognize that coaches don't give a ----, and they get tired of having to defend their staffs from coaches and conference administrators on these "nit-picky" issues.

And that's that.

[Derek Teigen]

thank you Etref and Elvis Lives.  I understand what you are saying.  The reason I am focusing on this now is the injury to  Damar Hamlin even though his injury might not be equipment related.  We all understand the game of football is violent.  I read a book called 'HOW FOOTBALL BECAME FOOTBALL' and it is well documented how violent the game was back in the late 1800's very early 1900's.  From 1900-1905 about 45 players died to injuries suffered in games.  Due to the public outcry and the leadership of Teddy Roosevelt, rules were added and equipment required to increase the safety of the players.

My personal experience is when I see a player with a mouthpiece out of his mouth before the snap is imminent I will stop play and send the player out.  We always ask before the game if all players are properly equipped.  If during a game a player doesn't have knee pads or they are not covering his knees they are sent out for a play.

I think the players and coaches get the message pretty quickly.  Another thing that is big is face paint.  High School Rules state clearly that there can only be a single stroke under each eye.  So when high school kids see college players literally covering their faces with eye black it does make us the bad guys when we try and enforce that rule.

[Derek Teigen]

last thing on this before I go back to the National Federation board is it really bothered me that Caleb Williams (Heismann Winner) painted his fingernails and sometimes with derogatory messages.  Against Utah in the PAC 12 championship game he painted F._.C.K. Utah on his fingernails.  He had been doing his nails habitually during the season so I am sure it was known or could have been looked at before the game.   I felt the officials should have either had him remove it pre game or flag him for unsportsmanlike.  The coaches should have addressed it.

Now in High School, in addition to face paint I fear we are going to have to be on the lookout for inappropriate message on fingernails.  I guess my point is that by not enforcing rules at the college level such as use of mouthpieces or knee pads, this is really a safety issue and does make officials in high school 'fashion police'.

:editing to add:  The other thing in the back of my mind is I don't want to get sued by parent of a kid who has his teeth destroyed because we did not enforce the rule that the player has to insert his mouthpiece.

[ElvisLives]

last thing on this before I go back to the National Federation board is it really bothered me that Caleb Williams (Heismann Winner) painted his fingernails and sometimes with derogatory messages.  Against Utah in the PAC 12 championship game he painted F._.C.K. Utah on his fingernails.  He had been doing his nails habitually during the season so I am sure it was known or could have been looked at before the game.   I felt the officials should have either had him remove it pre game or flag him for unsportsmanlike.  The coaches should have addressed it.

Now in High School, in addition to face paint I fear we are going to have to be on the lookout for inappropriate message on fingernails.  I guess my point is that by not enforcing rules at the college level such as use of mouthpieces or knee pads, this is really a safety issue and does make officials in high school 'fashion police'.

:editing to add:  The other thing in the back of my mind is I don't want to get sued by parent of a kid who has his teeth destroyed because we did not enforce the rule that the player has to insert his mouthpiece.

If somebody attempts to sue me, I'll be pulling out the certification card, signed by his head coach, that states that all of his players are fully and legally equipped, and have been trained in the proper use of their equipment. So, that will, at the very least, spread the liability, if not get me off the hook entirely. It will take a lawsuit that affects everybody, to force the issue and make a change in culture. 'Til then...

[AlUpstateNY]

last thing on this before I go back to the National Federation board is it really bothered me that Caleb Williams (Heismann Winner) painted his fingernails and sometimes with derogatory messages.  Against Utah in the PAC 12 championship game he painted F._.C.K. Utah on his fingernails.  He had been doing his nails habitually during the season so I am sure it was known or could have been looked at before the game.   I felt the officials should have either had him remove it pre game or flag him for unsportsmanlike.  The coaches should have addressed it.

Now in High School, in addition to face paint I fear we are going to have to be on the lookout for inappropriate message on fingernails.  I guess my point is that by not enforcing rules at the college level such as use of mouthpieces or knee pads, this is really a safety issue and does make officials in high school 'fashion police'.

:editing to add:  The other thing in the back of my mind is I don't want to get sued by parent of a kid who has his teeth destroyed because we did not enforce the rule that the player has to insert his mouthpiece.

Like with so many things, Derek, common sense doesn't always prevail, even at the collegiate level. Rational prevention has proven to be a significant remedy to avoid/prevent unnecessary consequences, yet some insist on ignoring reality and taking foolish chances.  The curiosity and imagination of NFHS players is boundless, and requires more control and/or limitation to avoid excessive participation at advanced levels.  The hope that more mature players would grow out of unnecessary/excesses/behaviors by themselves is, unfortunately, far from universal and continues to set unfortunate examples for younger players.

Sadly, trash-talking, gesturing, theatrical group celebrations, public comments & unnecessary self promotion remains all to common at higher maturity levels setting poor examples for younger, impressionable levels.  In far too may ways, necessary behaviors and limitations not taught, and encouraged, at youthful levels are never learned for older levels.

The answer is not, nor will likely ever be, relaxing rules at the NFHS level.

[Derek Teigen]

Sadly, trash-talking, gesturing, theatrical group celebrations, public comments & unnecessary self promotion remains all to common at higher maturity levels setting poor examples for younger, impressionable levels.  In far too may ways, necessary behaviors and limitations not taught, and encouraged, at youthful levels are never learned for older levels.

I did a youth game, 5-6th graders and was shocked when a defender sacked the quarterback and then screamed "take that......!" and did some sort of Incredible Hulk Flex while standing over the player.  I threw my flag for unsportsmanlike conduct and his coach came unglued.  It was very disappointing and eye opening.

[bossman72]

last thing on this before I go back to the National Federation board is it really bothered me that Caleb Williams (Heismann Winner) painted his fingernails and sometimes with derogatory messages.  Against Utah in the PAC 12 championship game he painted F._.C.K. Utah on his fingernails.  He had been doing his nails habitually during the season so I am sure it was known or could have been looked at before the game.   I felt the officials should have either had him remove it pre game or flag him for unsportsmanlike.  The coaches should have addressed it.

Now in High School, in addition to face paint I fear we are going to have to be on the lookout for inappropriate message on fingernails.  I guess my point is that by not enforcing rules at the college level such as use of mouthpieces or knee pads, this is really a safety issue and does make officials in high school 'fashion police'.

:editing to add:  The other thing in the back of my mind is I don't want to get sued by parent of a kid who has his teeth destroyed because we did not enforce the rule that the player has to insert his mouthpiece.

In all honesty, I don't think I would have checked a player's fingernails for messages.  Wouldn't have even noticed it.

[AlUpstateNY]

In all honesty, I don't think I would have checked a player's fingernails for messages.  Wouldn't have even noticed it.

I've learned (the hard way) NEVER underestimate the creativity (in being STUPID) of the American teenager.  That is something that EACH generation has to grow through, but this latest generation has been REALLY SLOW in getting through it. I'm sure it has a lot to do with the added toys they now have to play with, and the ever increasing tolerance they've been allowed to enjoy.

Unfortunately, each one of us is partially responsible (at least for our own teenagers) but also for allowing REALLY stupid behavior, that for centuries has sparked unnecessary confrontations that, all too often, ignite exaggerated explosions (that WE have to clean up &/or get blamed for).  Coaches are often as totally surprised as we are to this "creativity" and the really DUMB/LAZY Coaches turn a blind eye to stamping it out, when it first starts, only to blame US when it causes an EXPLOSION.

Most of us were taught, often a hard way, by our parents (& their parents) the best/easiest way to put out a fire, is prevent it from starting or when it first starts, but for some, lessons learned are easily forgotten, until some "creative spark" explodes into a raging fire & it becomes OUR job to put the fire out.

We however, still have a choice, ignore that first STUPID remark/gesture and hopefully prevent a fire from starting, or let it pass & see how hot it goes. Either way,
we're likely going to be blamed for whatever damage it causes.