Saw that coming -- NFHS said knee pads must cover knees

[White hat]

I had a very strong feeling the NFHS was going to put in this year's points of emphasis that kneepads MUST cover the knees.

Not sure why the fashionable look of having exposed knees has been tolerated, but that's over in high school football, at least until a rule is changed saying knees can be uncovered.

Here's the language, straight from the NFHS.

To support the safety of all participants, players must wear equipment and uniforms that are properly fitted and worn as intended by the manufacturer. Before starting each game, the head coach must verify that all players are properly and legally equipped.

The use of knee pads is an area targeted for emphasis. Due to potential injury, it is essential that players only be allowed to participate if their pants and knee pads comply with the rules. Pants must completely cover the knees, and knee pads must be worn over the knee. In pregame duties, game officials should be watchful and proactive in addressing potential equipment, and more specifically, knee pad issues. Players often wear pants that slide up and expose the knee during movement. Game officials should communicate with coaches and/or players and ensure that only legally and properly equipped players are allowed to participate – noncompliance results in nonparticipation.

It is the shared responsibility of the coaches, players and game officials to closely monitor equipment issues and act in accordance with NFHS football playing rules on this subject. The specific areas of concern include the wearing of mandatory equipment by each player at all times while the ball is live, properly wearing any mandatory/legal equipment as intended by the manufacturer, and avoiding the use of any illegal equipment at any time by any player. It must be noted that NFHS Football Rules 3-5-10e and 9-8-1h directly address the correct enforcement for violations of these specific equipment rules. Coaches, game officials and players should work together and support the safety of all participants by ensuring that NFHS football equipment and uniform rules are followed.

Remember, the pad over the knee protects the player being hit by the knee more than the player with exposed knees.

As long as it's a pad, it is, by definition, a safety factor. Safety is not and never has been a matter of fashion, so officials who say "I'm not the fashion police" are not doing their jobs.

Other points of emphasis involve sportsmanship (as always), especially regarding fights, and formations.

Here's the link

2024 Points of Emphasis