Unpleasant starts to some basketball games in the area may not have been the case if
verifications were considered.
This year, some area basketball teams have seen starts to games already down points
before the jump in the center. Not because of a lineup error, or hanging on the rims
during warm-ups.
Having uniforms that are not complaint with National Federation of High School standards
can warrant a technical foul before the game starts. In recent years, the Illinois High
School Association – which follows all NFHS rules to a “T” – has cracked down on the
legality of basketball uniforms.
Sounds silly, right? After all, what do uniforms have to do with the way the game is
played? What do uniforms have to do with a skill of the game?
The NFHS regulations on basketball uniforms are simply there to establish identification
purposes. In the day of age where everything visual has to be unique, and thus keeping
up with the Joneses, teams are finding ways to make uniforms look different and stand out
amongst the rest of the conference.
Sometimes unique jerseys can get in the way of identifying a player clearly. Wrinkles can
lead to an impaired visual read on uniform numbers. Having letters that wrap around the
number can make it hard for officials to call a foul on the correct offender. Every few
basketball games an official winds up calling a foul on someone whose number is not in
the official scorebook – prompting a horn from the scorer's desk to resolve the issue and
thus delaying the game.
Making the number stand out is the prime reason for the crackdown. Confusion in number
identification can also lead to the assignment of a foul to a wrong person during the
resolving process. The offending team's coach can persuade the foul to be called on
someone else that looks similar to the actual offender, if that offender is an impact player
that already has four fouls.
That's why there is a rule, and it is often overlooked. However, rules have to be followed.
If a team is found in violation of the uniform rule, it can apply for a waiver from the IHSA.
The waiver gives teams enough time to correct the issue before the following season.
The rise of uniform violations actually has little to do with trying to gain an advantage. In
fact, it has to do with how aware IHSA game officials are of the rule. Making sure teams
are wearing compliant uniforms has been a point-of-emphasis for IHSA officials lately.
Often teams have worn the same uniform for its first game, only to find out the next game
that they are indeed illegal. In most cases, its because a sharp-eyed officiating crew had
the point-of-emphasis in mind during every game – simply doing his or her job.
Then the excuses run rampant:
“They didn't call a technical on us in our first game!”
“We used these uniforms last year, and no one said anything about this!”
“We were told that they were legal!”
And my favorite speculative statement:
“Do you have something against us?!?!”
Uniform rules are available for view, and are spelled out on the NFHS website
(www.nfhs.org). So it's not like officials are making up uniform rules willy-nilly.
Since the rules are clearly dictated, all it takes is verification of compliance to avoid the
pre-game technical foul. Are the letters on the top of the jersey above the horizontal plane
of the top of the number? Are the letters on the bottom of the jersey below the horizontal
plane of the bottom of the number? Are the side inserts (trim and piping) exactly four
inches across, with a balance of two inches on both sides of the seam? Is the spacing
between the letters and the number no less than one inch apart?
If the time is taken to personally verify the legality of the uniform, rather than go by the
word of the manufacturer, technical fouls can be avoided.
To simply assume that the uniforms are legal when they arrive at the school may lead to
technical fouls.
Sounds silly, but rules are rules and they must be followed.
Cody Cutter is the Publisher of Northern Illinois Sports Beat, and is an expert on IHSA
rules only because he stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. He can be reached at
Northernillinoissportsbeat (at) yahoo (dot) com. --- Talk about what's written on our
Message Boards!
verifications were considered.
This year, some area basketball teams have seen starts to games already down points
before the jump in the center. Not because of a lineup error, or hanging on the rims
during warm-ups.
Having uniforms that are not complaint with National Federation of High School standards
can warrant a technical foul before the game starts. In recent years, the Illinois High
School Association – which follows all NFHS rules to a “T” – has cracked down on the
legality of basketball uniforms.
Sounds silly, right? After all, what do uniforms have to do with the way the game is
played? What do uniforms have to do with a skill of the game?
The NFHS regulations on basketball uniforms are simply there to establish identification
purposes. In the day of age where everything visual has to be unique, and thus keeping
up with the Joneses, teams are finding ways to make uniforms look different and stand out
amongst the rest of the conference.
Sometimes unique jerseys can get in the way of identifying a player clearly. Wrinkles can
lead to an impaired visual read on uniform numbers. Having letters that wrap around the
number can make it hard for officials to call a foul on the correct offender. Every few
basketball games an official winds up calling a foul on someone whose number is not in
the official scorebook – prompting a horn from the scorer's desk to resolve the issue and
thus delaying the game.
Making the number stand out is the prime reason for the crackdown. Confusion in number
identification can also lead to the assignment of a foul to a wrong person during the
resolving process. The offending team's coach can persuade the foul to be called on
someone else that looks similar to the actual offender, if that offender is an impact player
that already has four fouls.
That's why there is a rule, and it is often overlooked. However, rules have to be followed.
If a team is found in violation of the uniform rule, it can apply for a waiver from the IHSA.
The waiver gives teams enough time to correct the issue before the following season.
The rise of uniform violations actually has little to do with trying to gain an advantage. In
fact, it has to do with how aware IHSA game officials are of the rule. Making sure teams
are wearing compliant uniforms has been a point-of-emphasis for IHSA officials lately.
Often teams have worn the same uniform for its first game, only to find out the next game
that they are indeed illegal. In most cases, its because a sharp-eyed officiating crew had
the point-of-emphasis in mind during every game – simply doing his or her job.
Then the excuses run rampant:
“They didn't call a technical on us in our first game!”
“We used these uniforms last year, and no one said anything about this!”
“We were told that they were legal!”
And my favorite speculative statement:
“Do you have something against us?!?!”
Uniform rules are available for view, and are spelled out on the NFHS website
(www.nfhs.org). So it's not like officials are making up uniform rules willy-nilly.
Since the rules are clearly dictated, all it takes is verification of compliance to avoid the
pre-game technical foul. Are the letters on the top of the jersey above the horizontal plane
of the top of the number? Are the letters on the bottom of the jersey below the horizontal
plane of the bottom of the number? Are the side inserts (trim and piping) exactly four
inches across, with a balance of two inches on both sides of the seam? Is the spacing
between the letters and the number no less than one inch apart?
If the time is taken to personally verify the legality of the uniform, rather than go by the
word of the manufacturer, technical fouls can be avoided.
To simply assume that the uniforms are legal when they arrive at the school may lead to
technical fouls.
Sounds silly, but rules are rules and they must be followed.
Cody Cutter is the Publisher of Northern Illinois Sports Beat, and is an expert on IHSA
rules only because he stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. He can be reached at
Northernillinoissportsbeat (at) yahoo (dot) com. --- Talk about what's written on our
Message Boards!
| Northern Illinois Sports Beat http://www.northernillinoissportsbeat.com |
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Uniform Confusion Can Be
Avoided
Avoided
“Assume” and “therefore” are not wise words to use ...
Addend:
On Dec. 12, 2011 the
Illinois High School
Association modified the
NFHS basketball uniform
rule for IHSA play. Three
rule modifications were
made for this season.
Whether these changes
will be applied to
subsequent seasons is yet
to be determined.
The three modifications to
the current NFHS rule are:
NFHS Rule “3-4-1e” was
modified so that the side
inserts (trim, piping, accent
color) cannot extend into
either the front or back
torso of the jersey to a
point closer than one inch
of any number. Previously,
the side inserts had to be a
maximum of four inches,
two inches on each side of
the seam.
Rule “3-4-4b” was
modified to make the first
and last letters of arched
lettering on jerseys extend
to the mid-point of the
number. Previously,
arched lettering above the
number could not surpass
the horizontal plane of the
top of the number.
Likewise, arched lettering
below the number could
not surpass the horizontal
plane of the bottom of the
number.
Rule “3-4-4d” regarding
the one-inch spacing of
lettering and numbers was
modified to include the
decorative accent in
identifying names or
decorative accents not part
of identifying names.
On Dec. 12, 2011 the
Illinois High School
Association modified the
NFHS basketball uniform
rule for IHSA play. Three
rule modifications were
made for this season.
Whether these changes
will be applied to
subsequent seasons is yet
to be determined.
The three modifications to
the current NFHS rule are:
NFHS Rule “3-4-1e” was
modified so that the side
inserts (trim, piping, accent
color) cannot extend into
either the front or back
torso of the jersey to a
point closer than one inch
of any number. Previously,
the side inserts had to be a
maximum of four inches,
two inches on each side of
the seam.
Rule “3-4-4b” was
modified to make the first
and last letters of arched
lettering on jerseys extend
to the mid-point of the
number. Previously,
arched lettering above the
number could not surpass
the horizontal plane of the
top of the number.
Likewise, arched lettering
below the number could
not surpass the horizontal
plane of the bottom of the
number.
Rule “3-4-4d” regarding
the one-inch spacing of
lettering and numbers was
modified to include the
decorative accent in
identifying names or
decorative accents not part
of identifying names.
This is when the “'therefore' theory”
doesn't work as a cop-out. Not having
a technical foul called in the first game,
or at all last year, doesn't immediately
declare the uniforms legal for the rest
of the season. Even during very
important games where one move
makes a difference, therefores simply
do not work.
One move making a difference was the
theme for Champaign Centennial's
Class 3A state boys basketball
championship in 2009. Centennial's
semifinal opponent, Chicago North
Lanwdale, was given a technical foul
for illegal uniforms before the game
started. Centennial made both
resulting free throws and won 66-65.
But that's not saying that the free
throws led to the outcome of the game:
North Lawndale held a mid-game lead
before falling behind at the end.
The third aforementioned excuse is the
most common. However, technicals
can be avoided by simply not taking
things as gospel.
doesn't work as a cop-out. Not having
a technical foul called in the first game,
or at all last year, doesn't immediately
declare the uniforms legal for the rest
of the season. Even during very
important games where one move
makes a difference, therefores simply
do not work.
One move making a difference was the
theme for Champaign Centennial's
Class 3A state boys basketball
championship in 2009. Centennial's
semifinal opponent, Chicago North
Lanwdale, was given a technical foul
for illegal uniforms before the game
started. Centennial made both
resulting free throws and won 66-65.
But that's not saying that the free
throws led to the outcome of the game:
North Lawndale held a mid-game lead
before falling behind at the end.
The third aforementioned excuse is the
most common. However, technicals
can be avoided by simply not taking
things as gospel.
An example of a basketball uniform that is illegal
under NFHS rules: Note the bottom point of the "R"
and the "S" in the word "Rock Falls" lie underneath the
horizontal plane of the top of the number "50."
under NFHS rules: Note the bottom point of the "R"
and the "S" in the word "Rock Falls" lie underneath the
horizontal plane of the top of the number "50."