Uniforms

[bctgp]

I know this is a topic every year, so probably beating a dead horse.    If you watched any of the UIL championship games this week every game seemed to have multiple uniform violations that never seemed to get addressed - the higher the classification got the more it seemed to occur. The main culprits were knee pads and pants not covering the knees. Then shirts up above the belly buttons and to a lesser degree but still prevalent back pads not being covered by uniforms, not on occasional plays but a lot like for whole series and more. Frankly, the NCAA level is not doing a good job either. Can we just get by with Coaches signing certification cards and move on and not worry about it or how do we get officials to take it seriously as apparently few crews are enforcing the rules. (Note: Cudos to you who are).

[TexDoc]

I know crews that have just given up trying to be the fashion police.  When talking to head coaches, they all say please tell my players they have to wear pants that cover the knees because we keep telling them.  If the head coach cannot get his players to be properly equipped, we are going to have a really hard time on Friday nights getting them to listen to us.   UIL representative were at these games, yet they seemed to not be concerned about uniform issues.  They have not made a big push to fix this problem and have just pushed it to us to be the bad guys.  I think we have bigger issues to worry about other than knee pads and jerseys. 

[TXPanhandle]

I'm right in line with the first two responses.  We play by NCAA rules and when we see this not being enforced at the upper level (or any level mind you) then there's no reason for us to enforce it either.  It's also the coaches responsibility to teach his players to conduct themselves and play by the rules and, as mentioned, if the coach is not going to get it done then we are not there to do it for them.  If anyone has a coach that says for us to enforce if for them, I'll bet you a nickle that same coach will be the first one to heavily complain when you send his star player off the field to correct the issue.  Several years ago when the jersey number color issue presented itself and the UIL said it would be strictly enforced there were three state championship games played where one of the teams jersey's did not remotely comply.  It was at that time I made my decision if it's not going to be enforced directly in front of and by the organization (UIL) that made the strict mandate then I too would no longer beat my head against the wall and enforce it either. 

I hope everyone had a great season.  I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  PLEASE be safe in all your travels and celebrations.  Make smart decisions so that you and everyone else can enjoy the new decade. 

[JBall]

Yeah I  only watched 1 game but multiple players and none were addressed.  You know that if this was enforced game 1 and throughout the year it would not have been an issue in the final game.  I feel I spend too much time trying to address it and no one even at college level does.  Makes me wonder why I  even try.

[bctgp]

Yep, it was very prevalent in both playoff games Saturday night. I wonder if they started downgrading the officials in NCAA for this if it would change at that level.  But we'd probably still have the issue at HS level.

[JasonTX]

If you start hitting the schools with fines it would change.   I believe in the NFL they have a guy at each game who looks for uniform violations and fines are issued.  Take officials out of the equation.

[OSU65]

I don't know the "politics" of who assigns officials, why school officials can veto officials, what the role of the assigner, etc, etc. One thing I can't figure out though. Someone has to be the final authority for writing the rules, and ensuring that via the chain of command they are enforced.
I read comments on this site about we don't enforce certain rules. What are the consequences for a crew that enforces the rule? What are the consequences for asking the appropriate level of supervision to put in writing that certain rules are not to be enforced? When the rule was put in the book there had to be a reason? If it's not enforced then either remove it or put out a letter saying that the rule is in the book and must be enforced.

Where would you draw the line regarding uniform rules?

[TxSkyBolt]

Knee pad requirement is a hold over from when helmets had very little facial protection. Knees to the face caused serious injury. This rule has outlived its usefulness.


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[dammitbobby]

Knee pad requirement is a hold over from when helmets had very little facial protection. Knees to the face caused serious injury. This rule has outlived its usefulness.


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While I don't disagree, the odds of UIL removing a piece of protective equipment is next to zero.  Will not ever happen.