5 hours ago, wingt51 said:

So glad this mentions the knee pads stuff should be addressed in pregame, and also that they should be given the chance to correct it. Also, “be easy to work with” is all people ask for.

I go back to Pi’s comment and it sort of points out the source of the problem….Coaches that allow the rule to be flaunted and then expect the refs to ignore the rule enforcement and requested point of emphasis.  If it is a bad rule, let’s work to change it.

From an SEC playbook... pretty good coach:

On 7/25/2025 at 1:08 PM, rjs4470 said:

I don't think not wearing knee pads is going to lead a kid down a lifelong path of crime. I look back at my playing days in the 80's and we used to take the butt pad out of our girdle...I'm not sure why, but just about every skill player on our offense, and anybody whose hand wasn't on the ground at the start of a play on defense never wore a butt pad. And we never turned into a bunch of outlaws as adults. This type of thing has been going on for years and not just in sports. There are many situations in life where people knowingly break the rules without it leading to utter chaos. All it takes is 10 minutes on the interstate and you'll see a lot of people knowingly not following the speed limit. I'm not saying rules and laws aren't important. They absolutely are. But whether a football player wears knee pads or not, isn't a hill I'm going to die on.

Don’t remember butt pads ever being part of the equipment rules of the game.  Don’t think we see many coaches endorsing/encouraging their players to speed on the interstate either.  Why not?  Probably because it’s against the law and maybe unsafe.  I am not sure about the safety of knee pads, but it is a rule and coaches should demand compliance.  Easy fix.

15 hours ago, Oldercoach said:

Don’t remember butt pads ever being part of the equipment rules of the game.  Don’t think we see many coaches endorsing/encouraging their players to speed on the interstate either.  Why not?  Probably because it’s against the law and maybe unsafe.  I am not sure about the safety of knee pads, but it is a rule and coaches should demand compliance.  Easy fix.

I don't think any coach is encouraging rule-breaking. My only point was that I don't think a kid not wearing knee pads in a high school football game correlates to future issues of not following rules. Also, there are many instances of adults not following rules that can be seen every day (speeding). I think ultimately it comes down to risk vs reward/ lack of consequences. You're right in saying that if coaches/officials start not allowing a kid without knee pads to play, you'd certainly get much better compliance. Same with speeding. If speeding laws were enforced more regularly or the fines/consequences were much harsher, you'd likely get better compliance. The issue is where do you draw the line to get better compliance, vs creating a harsh police like state where every single violation is enforced strictly, thus taxing time and resources. 

1 hour ago, rjs4470 said:

I don't think any coach is encouraging rule-breaking. My only point was that I don't think a kid not wearing knee pads in a high school football game correlates to future issues of not following rules. Also, there are many instances of adults not following rules that can be seen every day (speeding). I think ultimately it comes down to risk vs reward/ lack of consequences. You're right in saying that if coaches/officials start not allowing a kid without knee pads to play, you'd certainly get much better compliance. Same with speeding. If speeding laws were enforced more regularly or the fines/consequences were much harsher, you'd likely get better compliance. The issue is where do you draw the line to get better compliance, vs creating a harsh police like state where every single violation is enforced strictly, thus taxing time and resources. 

For clarity, are you suggesting coaches pick and choose the rules they want their players to follow?

3 hours ago, Oldercoach said:

For clarity, are you suggesting coaches pick and choose the rules they want their players to follow?

I am.  If any kid is not properly equipped, they are definitely picking and choosing what rules their players follow.  What you tolerate as a coach, you promote.

 

Likewise for the vast majority of officials for allowing it too.

4 hours ago, Oldercoach said:

For clarity, are you suggesting coaches pick and choose the rules they want their players to follow?

 

4 hours ago, Oldercoach said:

For clarity, are you suggesting coaches pick and choose the rules they want their players to follow?

No. I always enforced my players being properly equipped. I would never knowingly allow players to break a rules. My point again, is I don't believe kids breaking a simple rule like not wearing knee pads will lead to a lifetime of lawlessness or the decline of society.

If I was a ref I would make sure kids are wearing knee pads.

And the yet you are not a ref. I think if it’s rule it should be enforced.

Just did a little research with NFHS and found violation of improper knee pads is not subject to be penalized,  just the player is to be removed until corrected.  Coach is not penalized, nor is the team.  Got to question this illogical approach and see the NFHS as the culprit that deserves admonishment.

So my question, is there liability for coaches or on refs if they knowingly allow a player(minor) to participate without knee pads and he blows out a knee?  In today’s litigious society could there be a valid cause of action?  Is the point of emphasis to protect the coaches and refs from the possibility?

10 hours ago, Oldercoach said:

So my question, is there liability for coaches or on refs if they knowingly allow a player(minor) to participate without knee pads and he blows out a knee?  In today’s litigious society could there be a valid cause of action?  Is the point of emphasis to protect the coaches and refs from the possibility?

That knee pad, todays tiny piece of foam or the thick pad from years gone by, isn't keeping a knee from being blown out.  About the only thing it might stop is turf burn.

Not sure if it’s already been said on here, but if equipment is for protection, it should be for protection at all levels and not just high school. If it isn’t needed for protection in college and pros where athletes are much bigger, faster, and stronger, it isn’t needed in high school. Kids watching football on Saturdays and Sundays just imitate what their favorite players are wearing. 

3 hours ago, No Hiding Here....BC 21 said:

That knee pad, todays tiny piece of foam or the thick pad from years gone by, isn't keeping a knee from being blown out.  About the only thing it might stop is turf burn.

I suppose it could prevent bone bruises too (which I've never seen in a knee). But you are right in saying it really doesn't protect much.

The knee pads protect more than the hip and butt pads, which are pretty useless.