Jerseys

[fencewire]

That seemed to be the hottest topic at the state meeting.  The legality of jerseys and what was or was not considered to be contrasting colors, who would make that determination and how it would be equitably enforced from chapter to chapter across the state.

It seemed to my ears that the UIL kicked the whole issue by not over communicating the expectations and changes to their exception.  Now they are expecting the officials to clean up the mess and putting us in the firing line (more so than usual)

Maybe this isn't really a big deal but a perusal around the WWW and you find many examples of jerseys that have been posted that we can look at and judge from our armchair or throne...  I won't say the school just post the jersey if you know the town, keep it to yourself, that isn't the purpose of this thread. 

Legal?

[blindtxzebra]

Opinions on both?

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[ElvisLives]

The simplest fix for this is for us, as officials, to do nothing.  This problem is caused by coaches who allow themselves to be duped by jersey manufacturers into buying 'cool' looking jerseys, rather than jerseys that comply with the rules.  This is the coaches' problem.  Yeah, it makes it a bit difficult on us, sometimes.  But they are the ones that are putting us in this situation.  If Team A gets mad about Team B's jerseys, tell them to take it up with the UIL.  They are causing it. Put it back on them to fix it.
Robert

[fencewire]

Fortunately for us, the UIL does fix this.... in 2020...   

 EXCEPTION: 1-4-5-c-2. Add Note to read: “(Note: Numerals must be “clearly visible” on the field and from press box level – i.e., coaches, media, etc., can clearly see the numerals from the press box, and the numerals are clearly visible on film.

Effective for the 2020 season, the numerals on white or light colored jerseys must be black or dark color; numerals on dark colored jerseys must be white or light color.)”

[TexDoc]

We cannot do anything at the game site, but let them play with what they have.  If the home school has different jerseys available, maybe, but doubtful.  All we can really do is report it to the UIL.  Kind of like long half times, don't flag them, ever, just report them.  If coach questions why  you're not flagging it, tell him the UIL has directed us not to, but we will report them. 

[fencewire]

Based on what was heard at the state meeting they do want us to flag them if we deem that their numbers do not contrast and charge them with a loss of a TO in each quarter.

Not that I necessarily agree with that, but that was what was being conveyed and was told to the coaches meeting by the UIL.

[JasonTX]

As mentioned, the coaches have been told by the UIL that this will be enforced this year.  One timeout at the beginning of each period that they don't comply.  If they are out of timeouts then a 5 yard penalty is assessed.  One pending question that we are waiting for an answer on is whether or not to charge a timeout for each extra period. 

[Hondo]

But we are missing the point.  Again.

We can all agree "it will be enforced".  We know the rule. 

However,  no one wants to decide which jersey's are illegal. Why was this not done last year before schools ordered their jerseys.   We have 3 different jerseys on this post.  No one has said if any of these jerseys are illegal.

Silver on white is simple.  What about yellow on green, purple on grey, orange on grey. 

Gonna be one HECK of a pregame.  "Hey coach, just so you know, WE (cuz it sure is not the UIL or TASO in the coaches eye, its those 5 guys that night) are going to take away 4 of your 6 timeouts before the game ever starts.  Now who are your captains....." 

[TexDoc]

Based on what was heard at the state meeting they do want us to flag them if we deem that their numbers do not contrast and charge them with a loss of a TO in each quarter.

Not that I necessarily agree with that, but that was what was being conveyed and was told to the coaches meeting by the UIL.

I have good eyesight, so I'd say whatever they're wearing looks just fine.  I don't have a problem with any of the jerseys posted in this string.

[ElvisLives]

And here we go.  Neither right nor wrong, but one crew says illegal, another says not illegal (or just ignores).  Week two could be a real mess.
And for something the coaches created and the UIL failed to effectively address before this season.
I stand by opinion that we simply do nothing, and let the coaches and the UIL fix this problem, if they think it is a problem.  If Team A complains about Team B's jerseys, tell 'me to take it up with the UIL.

And this will be a prelude to getting the knees covered by pants and pads next year.

Robert

[TexDoc]

And this will be a prelude to getting the knees covered by pants and pads next year.

That's another huge can of worms.  I will enforce that strictly because I really think it is a safety issue.  Not so much for the kid with the pants pulled above the knee but for the kid that gets that uncovered knee in the ribs, head, back, you name it.

[Etref]

No dog in the hunt since I have retired but I say bag 'em and tag'em.

Even if some crews don't the word will spread

Coaches talk more than 9th grade school girls

Someone will call UIL and then get an answer

[JasonTX]

There is an effort being made by TASO to give coaches an opportunity to email a picture to get a Yes or No on the legality of their jerseys.  A database that is viewable by all that shows which schools have had jerseys approved is something that is in the works.  I believe all coaches have been provided with this information if they paid attention to this topic at coaching school.

[bctgp]

Schools have had multiple years to comply with this rule - it wasn't just implemented. They were given ample time to use and purge non-compliant uniforms.  UIL appears to not allow any more excuses and have asked for us to enforce the rule.  I don't like being the uniform police any more than the next official but it is a point of emphasis this year and forward.

[TexDoc]

1-4-5-c:
c. Numerals.

1. The jersey must have clearly visible, permanent Arabic numerals
measuring at least 8 and 10 inches in height front and back,
respectively. The number must be of a color that itself is clearly
in distinct contrast with the color of the jersey, irrespective of any
border around the number.

2. Teams wearing jerseys/numerals that do not conform to this rule
will be asked to change into legal jerseys before the game and before
the start of each quarter until the jerseys are changed. Officials
shall charge a team timeout at the start of each quarter the illegal
jerseys are worn. (A. R. 1-4-5-I)

3. All players of a team shall have the same color and style numbers
front and back. The individual bars must be approximately 1-1/2
inches wide. Numbers on any part of the uniform shall correspond
with the mandatory front and back jersey numbers.


I have seen very few jerseys over the years that do not meet these criteria.  I can think of one a few years back where the jersey was white, the number was silver, and the outline of the number was black.  It was very hard to see the numbers.  I guess if we all hit this the first couple of weeks it should fix itself.  Penalizing the kids for a coach not getting the correct jerseys is a bit of a tough sell. 

[copedaddy]

For those of us that suffer from color deficiency, I say follow the rules, you don't like it, take the T/O's and don't moan and complain. After all, it is in the rule book.
Its Texas HS football, not a fashion show. If you want to be a fashion trend setter, coach soccer or softball.

[TexDoc]

For those of us that suffer from color deficiency, I say follow the rules, you don't like it, take the T/O's and don't moan and complain. After all, it is in the rule book.
Its Texas HS football, not a fashion show. If you want to be a fashion trend setter, coach soccer or softball.

This is the vague rule we will follow:

The jersey must have clearly visible, permanent Arabic numerals
measuring at least 8 and 10 inches in height front and back,
respectively. The number must be of a color that itself is clearly
in distinct contrast with the color of the jersey, irrespective of any
border around the number.

Jerseys would have to be really, really bad for me to pay any attention to them.  The ones posted above follow this rule.  The color of the numbers, in my view, are in "distinct contrast" with the color of the jersey.

Does anyone have an example of what would be considered not a legal jersey?

 

[nvfoa70]

Take a look at these jerseys used by Manvel (south of Houston ) a couple of years ago...

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[TexDoc]

Great example!

[nvfoa70]

Another example, from Clear Falls High School, a couple of years ago...

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[TexDoc]

Once again, good example. 

[blindtxzebra]

2015

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[TXMike]

If any coach or school has a question or wants their jerseys "approved", they can email to footballjerseyquestion@gmail.com  .  A list is being assembled of approved and unapproved jerseys.  All chapters will have access to the list.   During the season, as incident reports come in, the list will be added to. 

For myself, if I see a jersey that looks questionable I am going to have the crew stand 40 yards or so from the players and see if we can make out the numbers.  If we clearly can, no foul.  If they can't, then we start "the process".  If it is close, I am saying legal TONIGHT, and then submitting incident report so can be reviewed. 

[backjudge85]

They will lose their timeout in the overtime period if their jerseys don'f conform to the rule.  In other words, during the overtime they will NOT have a timeout available to use.

[fencewire]

 2 questions regarding the footballjersey email account..

1) when will the "rulings" be made available and where
2) why use a generic gmail account rather than a taso.org account