Noticed knees aren’t covered any more. It’s bare on most players at the college and pro level especially at the skill positions. Surprised
I guess the science behind covering the knee with something comparable to a volleyball knee pad stitched into the uniform pants was useless? Any athletic trainers here that can comment?
Aand…muted in three, two, one
Last time I checked the rulebook it stated the knees must be covered.
Why have rules if they are not enforced?
This is from 2023:
I’m very surprised. I thought online I’d immediately find research right away that relaxed the requirement to wear knee pads. Expected to find info perhaps that proved it was a myth that knee pads help to prevent serious injury to the knee (American College of Sports Medicine, etc).
Tailbone pads and mouthpieces apparently aren’t used by many either
Former high school player, current minor coach and minor and high school referee here.
First of all, the knee pad isn’t “sewn in” to the pant. The foam pad sits in a pocket in the pants. It’s easily removable for washing of the pants and cleaning of the pad.
Over the past several years, yes, there has been something of a trend, first in pro, then in college, that some players elect to modify or not use the pads in their pants or mouthguard. And now, impressionable youth in minor and high school levels are copying their idols in the sport, because they think it looks cool.
When you’re an adult, responsible for your own decisions and body, I suppose that’s fine, make whatever stupid decisions you want. So rules regarding these pieces of equipment at the college and pro levels are roundly ignored and not enforced.
But in response to a growing trend of high school and minor kids making similar modifications to the pads or not using them, the official Canadian amateur football rulebook has tightened up the rules within this past year regarding these pads, stating that they must be worn covering the knee as designed and intended by the manufacturer, not modified in any way.
It’s ridiculous how many times in a game I verbally warn players to please put their mouthguards in and buckle up all the straps on their helmet. Of all the possible penalties in the book, I really don’t want to throw a flag on that one, costing a player’s team five yards for pretty much the most preventable penalty in the game. But I use the baseball rule. After three verbal warnings, I don’t warn anymore, I flag it.
I don’t know what’s done in Canada, but Ohio with the NFHS rulebook we were required to ask the question to both head coaches during the coin toss – “Are all of you players properly and legally equipped?”
That way the referees would be off the hook legally if a improperly dressed player gets injured or injures their opponent from their equipment or lack of equipment. The coaches (not the officials) go to court
Yes, that’s part of the pre-game routine, that question is not only asked to each head coach, but in high school and possibly junior and university level, they even sign the scorecard attesting to such.