Episode 5 – Color Restrictions on Player Apparel Equipment
Greetings and welcome back for another edition of Basketball Rules Expert. The show where we take the National Federation of high school basketball rules, lift them off the printed page, breathe life into them. We simplify, clarify and give them back to you in an audio visual format that brings the rules to life. Then, you can take them with you onto the basketball court.
Hi again, my name is Greg Austin with abetterofficial.com. We craft video to help basketball officials get better and take control of their officiating career.
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Today we’ll get started with an email I received from Deandre S. It goes like this, Greg. I love the rules, videos. These are very helpful to a young official like me. something I’ve gotten conflicting opinions about is the color restrictions on sleeves, headbands and all this stuff that the players wear. Can you explain an easy to understand terms what color restrictions are on players equipment? Thanks again for the videos. You are definitely helping me become a better official.
Deandre Thank YOU! That’s what this show is all about. Helping officials get better. And it’s great to get that feedback. All right. So that’s what we’ll do today. Actually, in National Federation of High School it is super simple if you think about it the proper way. So let’s get started with today’s video on team members equipment and apparel.
As basketball officials we are put in the position to be the Fashion Police.Players are warming up on the court. Shooting shirts come off and all of a sudden we have issues, right? Undershirts are the incorrect color. Arm sleeves, headbands don’t match, etc. We try to take care of that the best we can. It is not the most enjoyable part of the job. Let’s be clear on what the rules are, so that we’re not giving erroneous information to a team. By making them take things off, put things on, etc. And then the next night, the other officials on the next crew, tell them something completely different. Let’s get it right. This is the way I like to explain it.
First of all, what items have color restrictions? Number one, first and foremost, the undershirt.
Legal Colors for Undershirts in NFHS Basketball
Think of the undershirt as an extension of the jersey players wearing a black jersey. If they wear an undershirt, it must be black players. wearing a blue jersey, if they’re wearing an undershirt, it must be blue undershirt extension of the jersey, by rule must be the same solid color as the predominant portion of the jersey. Right. So undershirts are always associated with the jersey. They’re not associated with any of the other things headbands, wristbands, arm sleeves, etc. They’re in their own category by themselves.
The Package: Color Restrictions on Player Apparel Equipment
Now let’s move on to a whole catalog of equipment that is grouped together and what I call the package. And if you think about it, that way, things get a lot simpler. So let’s talk about what’s in the package.
The Headband.
Players wear headbands. female players wear headbands a lot. What is it a lot of hair wear headbands and banners is defined as circular go Completely around the head by completely around the head. That means that if there’s a skull on the inside of the circle, it’s a headband by rule, whether that’s a three inch wide absorbing piece, or whether that’s rolled up pre wrap, just to, you know, control some loose hair. Players are allowed to wear one headband and it’s part of the package.
The Wristband
Let’s move on wristbands not as popular these days. But can be up to four inches in width. can wear one per arm must be worn below the elbow. And it’s part of the package.
Arm Sleeves
style that sleeves shooting sleeves, sleeve with a pat on the elbow or just a straight up elbow pad. All of these the items that go on the arm are all part of the package.
Lower Body
Let’s move on to the legs, tights or compression shorts that extend below the hem of the shorts.
The Rule for The Package: Color Restrictions on Player Apparel Equipment
For each participant, every item they were in the package has to be the same color for each member of the team that participates. All items must be the same color. Quick review of those colors are always black, white, or beige, or the predominant color of the jersey. Package items can be black, white, or beige, or the predominant color of the jersey. All participants.
That’s the simplicity. All items, all participants for a team in the game must be the same color. those colors can be black, white, beige, or the predominant color of the torso of the jersey.
So if a team is wearing red. The items in the package can be red, black, white, or beige. By rule.
So, players are wearing headbands leg sleeves, elbow pad, one kid has a shin sleeve. Two players are wearing tights, all legal by rule, but they all have to be the same color.
And that color has to be either black, white, beige are the predominant color of the jersey. By rule, the home team must wear jerseys that are white. So, their choices are going to be black, white, or beige. Because White is the predominant color of the jersey. Right? Super simple. So if something stands out, well that’s part of the package. She’s wearing tights. She’s wearing red tights. Everybody else has black wristbands, headbands, arm sleeves, etc. The tights are the what stands out and must be removed in order for the player to participate. It’s also important to understand that if a player has something that does not comply with the rules, color restrictions, there is no penalty. Other than participation, the player may not participate wearing the items that don’t conform. Once they do, conform, remove an item cover an item, etc. They are illegal to participate and there’s no penalty.
We know what’s in the package: headband, wristband, arm sleeve, elbow pad, elbow sleeve, leggings that extend below the hem of the shorts, tights, leg sleeves, etc.
Those are all part of the package.
all right now let’s discuss what does NOT have color restrictions. We know what does have color restrictions, what does not have color restrictions.
Braces
Number one first and foremost, braces. Brace does not have a color restriction. What is a brace? By rule it’s usually neoprene or stiff fabric that’s meant to support joints. We have knee braces, ankle braces. Oftentimes, they will have inserts either metal inserts or stiff plastic inserts to provide support may have an opening on the kneecap if the device is made for support A brace by rule does not have any color restrictions whatsoever.
Hair control devices
we know that a headband goes around the head. And within that circle formed by the headband there’s some skull. Hair control device just goes around hair just goes around a ponytail just goes around hair. Hair control devices by rule do not have color restrictions, a player could wear 10 12, or even 15 hair control devices. legal by rule. A player may only wear one headband by rule.
Head Gear
If a player has an exemption from the state and is allowed to wear religious headwear. No color restriction. If a player has a medical exemption and can wear a concussion headgear. A padded item to help prevent concussions. There are no color restrictions for this special headgear that players are allowed to wear.
Tape
There’s no color restrictions on tape. A player may be wearing a black arm sleeve but they have a wrist problem and their wrist has been taped with athletic tape. White athletic tape really stands out, but tape has no color restrictions. Now, super popular is kinesiology tape, which can you know form elaborate patterns around the shoulder, around the knee, elbow, arms, etc.
kinesiology tape has no color restrictions. tape has no color restriction.
Obviously. Shorts, socks, shoes, no Color restrictions by rule.
Review
Alright, quick review what has color restrictions?
Undershirts have color restrictions. They are an extension of the jersey must be the same color as the predominant color of the jersey. Absolute 100% is it in the package? No, it’s separate.
What’s in the package? What are these pieces of apparel that all participants must have the same color equipment. What are they headbands, by rule, wristbands. Arm sleeves, pads, elbow pads sleeve with a pad anything on the arm.
On the legs, compression shorts that extend below the hem of the short tights like leggings, knee sleeves, a sleeve with a pad on the knee, a shin sleeve or calf sleeve, anything on the leg. That’s not a brace. All of these things are in the package.
For each participant, every item they were in the package has to be the same color for each member of the team that participates. All items must be the same color. Quick review of those colors are always black, white, or beige, or the predominant color of the jersey. Package items can be black, white, or beige, or the predominant color of the jersey. All participants.
Every item a participant wears must meet that color restriction. And every member who participates all of their items must meet that restriction. That’s a summary.
That’s going to wrap it up for today’s episode on Color Restrictions on Player Apparel Equipment. I want to thank DeAndre for sending us the email initiating this episode of basketball rules expert. I think it can provide a lot of value for other officials as well. Thank you DeAndre. If you have a suggestion for a video, reach out to us via email at br e at a better official.com or just make a suggestion in the comments below.
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