Home Team Uniform Requirements Clarified in High School Football Rules

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INDIANAPOLIS – Language in the 2024 NFHS Football Rules Book will be changed in an effort to ensure consistent interpretation of the rule regarding requirements for home team uniforms in high school football. Next season, all home team jerseys must be the same dark color(s) that clearly contrasts with white. 

This uniform change in Rule 1-5-1b(3) was recommended by the NFHS Football Rules Committee at its Jan. 14-16 meeting in Indianapolis and subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors. The Football Rules Committee is composed of one member from each NFHS member state association that uses NFHS playing rules, along with representatives from the NFHS Coaches Association and NFHS Officials Association.

Previously, the rule regarding home team jerseys stated that the jerseys of the home team “shall be a dark color that clearly contrasts to white.” The revised rule will state that the jerseys of the home team “shall all be the same dark color(s) that clearly contrasts to white.” 

“We kind of had a loophole in the rule that we didn’t specify that everyone on the home team had to wear the same color dark jersey,” said Richard McWhirter, chair of the NFHS Football Rules Committee and assistant executive director of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association. “Even though you didn’t see a major issue with it, it was a loophole in the rule that could possibly be a major issue in the future if it wasn’t corrected.”

McWhirter noted that while this was the only rules proposal that was approved by the committee, there was considerable discussion related to the other eight proposals that advanced to the full committee. He said there was considerable discussion dealing with sportsmanship, particularly unsporting acts in dead-ball situations.

“There was solid agreement by the committee that the rules of the game are in good shape,” McWhirter said. “There was great discussion regarding the need for consistent enforcement of the existing rules specifically in regard to equipment and sportsmanship. Several proposals garnered substantial interest and discussion and may merit further consideration in future committee meetings.”

Three Points of Emphasis were identified by the committee for the 2024 season, including Player Equipment and Enforcement, Sportsmanship and Protocols, and Formation Requirements.

For complete details, visit: https://ly.khsaa.org/demw

So I guess in theory if the home teams colors were red and black, technically they could wear read AND black jerseys and be within the old rules. I can't imagine that ever happening, but I suppose they changed it for a reason. 

I looked for more details on the point of emphasis on the player equipment and enforcement. I am curious what that means exactly. Will it mean they will more closely enforce knee pad rules? That seemed to be happening more last year. I saw games where players were sent off the field because their pants were too short and/or they did not have knee pads. You watch college games and there are loads of players running around wearing football pants that look like compression shorts. That is carrying down to the high school level. Is that part of the equipment enforcement?

I’m surprised they didn’t change the rule about encroachment/offsides remaining a live down. That was one of the rules they were looking at. The PI rules I’m glad they didn’t change. 

The equipment thing needs to be heavily enforced for no other reason than player safety, look at what Cooper and Scott Co went through in the playoffs last year. I’m old man yelling cloud here, but your knee pads need to be covering your knees when you’re in an upright position, and mouth pieces need to be in your mouth not dangling from your face mask. 

9 hours ago, Breds82 said:

The equipment thing needs to be heavily enforced for no other reason than player safety, look at what Cooper and Scott Co went through in the playoffs last year. I’m old man yelling cloud here, but your knee pads need to be covering your knees when you’re in an upright position, and mouth pieces need to be in your mouth not dangling from your face mask. 

But but but it’s cool!!

On 2/8/2024 at 9:31 PM, Breds82 said:

The equipment thing needs to be heavily enforced for no other reason than player safety, look at what Cooper and Scott Co went through in the playoffs last year. I’m old man yelling cloud here, but your knee pads need to be covering your knees when you’re in an upright position, and mouth pieces need to be in your mouth not dangling from your face mask. 

Serious question - Is there any evidence that knee pads do anything to prevent injuries? I would love to see some documentation.

Here is the problem on the knee pads, Nike, Adidas, Under Armour all make the pants that short because of college and NFL.  If a kid is over 5'8" it is hard for the pants to be long enough to cover the knee like the rule states.  Most kids have to tug and stretch them to get the length to cover the knee totally. 

3 hours ago, Just Truth said:

Serious question - Is there any evidence that knee pads do anything to prevent injuries? I would love to see some documentation.

Knee pads are completely useless, most of the ones out there are tiny and serve basically no purpose at all. The fact that refs waste time trying to enforce it, is ridiculous. Players want their pants tight and not baggy, and in order to wear pants that actually cover the knee, then the pants are loose and not comfortable. Most good officials don’t waste time on enforcing the silliness of it. Some crews will spend all of their time worrying about that type of stuff, and not focus on actually officiating the on field play.

Just my opinion, but I think it’s silly the attention that gets paid to the knee pads on game night.

I agree with the worthlessness of knee pads but if it’s a rule, like it or not, it needs to be enforced. Did all those companies just decide to switch to shorter pants and refuse to make ones that cover the knees? I know back in the day the WRs and kick returners in the nfl took out the knee pads and thigh pants to help them run faster. 

On 2/8/2024 at 5:52 PM, Voice of Reason said:

I looked for more details on the point of emphasis on the player equipment and enforcement. I am curious what that means exactly. Will it mean they will more closely enforce knee pad rules? That seemed to be happening more last year. I saw games where players were sent off the field because their pants were too short and/or they did not have knee pads. You watch college games and there are loads of players running around wearing football pants that look like compression shorts. That is carrying down to the high school level. Is that part of the equipment enforcement?

I'm going to guess more hip and tailbone pads.  I saw multiple players forced to leave games last year for the lack of.  When they came back, they had those pads on but still no knee pads.

On 2/12/2024 at 2:30 PM, gbballfan21 said:

Knee pads are completely useless, most of the ones out there are tiny and serve basically no purpose at all. The fact that refs waste time trying to enforce it, is ridiculous. Players want their pants tight and not baggy, and in order to wear pants that actually cover the knee, then the pants are loose and not comfortable. Most good officials don’t waste time on enforcing the silliness of it. Some crews will spend all of their time worrying about that type of stuff, and not focus on actually officiating the on field play.

Just my opinion, but I think it’s silly the attention that gets paid to the knee pads on game night.

Until one kid doesn't wear them correctly, the official allows it, the kid sustains a big time knee injury......and mom and dad's first lawsuit is filed against the official who knowingly did not enforce a rule addressing player safety.

 

1 hour ago, 9068 said:

Until one kid doesn't wear them correctly, the official allows it, the kid sustains a big time knee injury......and mom and dad's first lawsuit is filed against the official who knowingly did not enforce a rule addressing player safety.

 

I get your point, but knee pads are not stopping any type of injury to the knee that involves any ligaments or tendons, MAYBE a direct hit to the knee cap, but even then they are so thin I don’t even see that. You are correct though, someone would find a way to sue someone.

14 hours ago, 9068 said:

Until one kid doesn't wear them correctly, the official allows it, the kid sustains a big time knee injury......and mom and dad's first lawsuit is filed against the official who knowingly did not enforce a rule addressing player safety.

 

It will fall on the HC not the official. First thing you’re always asked is “are all your players properly equipped”. Good luck proving an official knew a kid didn’t have knee pads. 
 

As far as the pants go it’s like any trend in fashion. Once things move in a certain direction it’s very difficult to find things. Schools sometimes have to adjust there dress codes because of it. Finding shorts that meet the letter of the law dress code wise can be next to impossible. Same is true of football pants. 

On 2/16/2024 at 8:59 AM, barrel said:

It will fall on the HC not the official. First thing you’re always asked is “are all your players properly equipped”. Good luck proving an official knew a kid didn’t have knee pads. 
 

As far as the pants go it’s like any trend in fashion. Once things move in a certain direction it’s very difficult to find things. Schools sometimes have to adjust there dress codes because of it. Finding shorts that meet the letter of the law dress code wise can be next to impossible. Same is true of football pants. 

As a 25 year official I asked that question hundreds of times from starters games up. I will tell you that if a lawsuit is filed all parties will be named. If that's the case why were officials (the umpire) instructed to do on field inspections? Example: had a player in a big rivalry game refusing to remove a chain from his neck that the coach didn't know he was wearing. No matter what you think I was still liable. His coach(legendary by the way) took care of it quickly, quietly, and was very appreciative. The officials are to keep the game fair and safe......and that's why the rules are written as they are.