Wednesday, July 03, 2013

New NFHS Rules

The following is from Ernie Lee:
Of particular interest: "With an increasing number of track and field participants wearing compression-style garments under their uniform shorts as foundation garments, Rule 4-3-1c(7) was modified to require only those visible garments worn under the uniform bottom that extend below the knees to be unadorned and of a single, solid color. Current NFHS rules regarding logos and insignias apply to knee-length or longer garments.There are no longer restrictions to visible garments worn under the uniform bottom if they terminate above the knees." (Bolded section by me).

With all the complaining about the uniform rules, it's important to remind people that the rules have evolved, especially in recent years. Many of the past "ridiculous" DQs (such as officials checking the color of girls sports bras) were clarified as never being infractions in the first place, and many of the rest (such as not giving a warning before an automatic DQ) have been addressed.

You can check out all the new rules at this link:

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

While boxers under shorts are legal by the rules it should be a DQ for stupidity.

I laugh at all the HSers wearing spandex under their shorts. No competitive runner in college or the Olympics or pros does this! Free ball or just wear the spandex. You look silly.

Anonymous said...

This is why:
http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=5269198

hank said...

When the iWatch comes out it will be interesting to see how they change the "no electronic devices" rule. Will they once again outlaw watches or allow all electronics on the field...

hank

Anonymous said...

Interesting point.
Technology is a force that cannot be stopped. What we need to do his teach our athletes etiquette and common sense and not impose outdated rules. I don't see the harm in allowing someone to listen to music before they race, especially if it helps them get in their zone. I'll go one step further and say that even taking a brief phone call in the warm-up area shouldn't hurt anyone. I can't imagine very many serious athletes would want to be fooling around the phone before a big race. I wouldn't. But I don't see why it should be against the rules. If people are taking their sport serious and have been taught proper behavior, then I think the rule would be unnecessary anyway.

I don't know the rationale behind the rule anyway. Is there a worry about someone gaining some kind of competitive edge? Or do they think electronic devices may pose a safety concern? In any case maybe the rule should be against talking on the phone or wearing headphones as opposed to actually having the device out.

Anonymous said...

You obviously have not seen people hit by a discus or a shot put. I have.

Do you work with high schoolers? They already run across the track without looking, this would be bad.

As for taking phone calls lets put them away in the warm up area. There is no need for it and whatever it is it can wait. It is rude to be slave to the phone.

And for every serious athlete there are 20 who are not. These are teenagers, not professionals.

Nils said...

Anonymous 2:31, please tell us what was on the "letsrun" website that "explains spandex". There were several conversation thread links there and none seemed connected.

Thanks!

Albert Caruana said...

Personally, I am fine with the kids running with spandex if they feel more comfortable that way.

Coach Tim said...

@Anonymous 5:26 - There's several reasons to support the 'no electronics' rules. The most important is athlete safety. In many high school competitions, the discus is contested on the infield. With novice throwers and high school resources, it is not possible to entirely contain the discus, nor to entirely restrict athletes from areas it might land. Being able to hear someone shouting "HEADS UP!" or "LOOKOUT!" is a rarely needed, but potentially life-saving precaution.

A second reason is that in certain events, it can provide a competitive edge. In particular with video (which I think has additional rules attached), being able to review a video during competition can provide an advantage.

A lesser reason, which I still support, is the idea of developing athletes' connection to the sport. High school kids can and will do absolutely anything at a track meet. Sometimes this actually includes watching the meet. If they're on the infield, that's what they should be doing - not texting, chatting, playing video games, or anything else that would require a device.

A blanket ban on all devices is the most efficient way to achieve these ends. It shouldn't be up to the rules committee to define what tech is ok and what isn't.


As for the uniform rule quoted in the original post, I think this is a great change. Just this past season, I had an official comment on one of my female athletes' shorts worn beneath her uniform (which did not extend below the uniform, but were visible at the side-notches), and I just thought "Really? We're still not past this?"

Coach Ozzie said...

I personally think some of the uniform rules are ridiculous. Fast is fast, no matter the attire. The question with technology is a little different. Part of the reason why certain electronic devices are not allowed on the infield is because of their two-way nature. In big meets, coaches are not allowed on the infield and it is illegal for coaches to use amplifiers to communicate with their athletes. Field events are not allowed to leave their area of competition to communicate with their coaches and can be disqualified for crossing the track in order to talk to their coaches. It is also illegal to view video during competition in order to make corrections. Some electronic devices allow athletes to circumvent that rule by allowing the athlete to stay in the competition area and get advice from the coach, include possible video transmission. Rather than check everyone's electronics before competition, they have been made illegal in the warm-up area and competition area. Enforcement of these rules is highly inconsistent between meets, which leads to confusion for many athletes.

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