High School Uniform Policy

varies by state, but rolling up your shorts shouldn't be an issue.....especially in a quad meet....

the rule in CT is that one runner out of your 7 varsity can do something different...ie wear tights or a long sleeve shirt

The size of the meet is irrelevant.

The source of this interpretation is NFHS Rule 4-3-1 (p. 25 of 2008 book):

"The competitor's uniform shall be issued by the school, worn as intended by the manufacturer..."

I don't know what state you're in, but the top high school rules interpreter in California says rolled shorts are allowed.

it depends what state you're in.

as for the rolling of shorts thing... don't let her do it. simple as that. you MUST abide by the rules. i suggest you get a copy of the rule book to take with you to the meets if they truly are gunning for her because the officials most likely won't know 100%, either.

Also, I recommend you buy the rulebook (about $8), highlight and flag important pages like the uniform and jewelry rules, and keep it with you at every meet.

I also think it depends on the officials or maybe track and XC are different, but our girls' 4x800 team was DQ'd after one of the girls had her shorts rolled up.

Thanks for the replies so far. The only reason why they might be able to enforce this is because she will not match the other girls on our team who don't roll up their shorts even though they are the exact same shorts and you can't tell a difference expect for the fact that they are just a little bit shorter.

I live in Virginia and I did have a copy of the rulebook, but I left it behind at a meet and haven't purchased another one. I'll be sure to order one today so that I'll have it for the rest of XC and especially during track season.

Wow! And there are people who wonder why the USA doesn't do so well at running any more! Other than safety and a minimum of decorum why would you have a rule about what people wear?

marksman wrote:

The size of the meet is irrelevant.

The source of this interpretation is NFHS Rule 4-3-1 (p. 25 of 2008 book):

"The competitor's uniform shall be issued by the school, worn as intended by the manufacturer..."

I don't know what state you're in, but the top high school rules interpreter in California says rolled shorts are allowed.

The coaches and Clerk of the Course should try for preventative officiating and warn kids before the race starts. Here are the NATIONAL rules ... so ALL XC in USA.

Jerseys: Tucked into the shorts in the Clerk's area and at the Starting Line.

Jerseys: Must hang below or be tucked into the waistband of the shorts when the competitor is standing erect.

Jerseys: Not be knotted or have a knot-like protrusion.

Shorts: Worn above the hips and waistbands are NOT to be rolled down for the entire race.

Bare midriff tops are not allowed.

Visible Undergarments: Unadorned (except logo) and of a single color. May have school identification per new rule.

Visible Undergarments: Do NOT have to be the same color.

Body Suits: Constitute a uniform. However, if worn under the uniform, are subject to undergarment rule (single color).

Socks are NOT part of the uniform.

Relay Teams: One person may chose to wear a visible compression short under the regular shorts and/or a visible undershirt without any other team member being required to do so.

Once two or more members do, they must be of identical color.

As long as team members wear the identical color and trim on their shorts, it doesn't matter if they differ in length and open/closed leg.

Jerseys should be the same basic color and style, the logo/manufacturer makes no difference.

Simple pins, barrettes, etc. as long as they don't stand out.

Earrings, rings, necklaces, and other items of visible jewelry are NOT allowed.

Yellow "Lance Armstrong" bracelets should not be worn (or visible).

Religious medal must be taped and worn under the uniform. A medical alert must be taped and may be visible.

No tape covered jewelry.

Navel ring not allowed only if becomes visible during a race … cannot inspect beforehand.

Items such as hats, bandanas, and sunglasses may be worn unless specifically prohibited by the Games Committee.

Watches are OK.

On another continent wrote:

Wow! And there are people who wonder why the USA doesn't do so well at running any more! Other than safety and a minimum of decorum why would you have a rule about what people wear?

marksman wrote:

The size of the meet is irrelevant.

The source of this interpretation is NFHS Rule 4-3-1 (p. 25 of 2008 book):

"The competitor's uniform shall be issued by the school, worn as intended by the manufacturer..."

I don't know what state you're in, but the top high school rules interpreter in California says rolled shorts are allowed.

Obviously you haven't watched an NBA basketball game or seen the inmate baggy pants look in the hallways of the local high school. These are general rule applied to every sport.

But more importantly, how is rolling of the shorts intended by the manufacturer?

BTW, can't you buy cheap shorts that fit for like $7. Or is it she just wants to be a slut.

Sorry buddy, you won't get much sympathy from those who realize the chick didn't roll her shorts up, she rolled them DOWN. It's a stupid HS look and in my opinion makes girls look like sluts. Why would she have to roll her shorts up? If they are old and have no elastic than use one of your race number pins and pin the waist band.

Tell her and the rest of the girls that they can roll their shorts to their pubic line and jog around in private but come race day they have to follow the rules.

To the poster who questioned why there are rules as to what can be worn; you obviously aren't aware of how certain individuals will abuse that freedom.

While I understand the dilemma...you have to enforce the rules. And if your girl is the one with the target...she MUST follow the rules. The girls on my team have those same issues.....it is the shorts......if they wore them normally...about 200 yards out you could see them all yank them down, they ride up. But the rules are the rules...and you as the coach MUST know what they are.....your ignorance is no excuse. And yes...they are stupid and petty...but everyone has to abide by them.

why don't you just have all the girls get new shorts.....pay for them themselves and then they would have better fitting shorts.

1500 wrote:

If they are old and have no elastic than use one of your race number pins and pin the waist band.

If they are old and have no elastic, don't give them to your number one runner. Have her trade with a JV girl.

I've been coaching elite, high school and college women for over 32 years. The current fad of rolling the shorts is one of the dumber things I've seen in all my years of coaching. Most of the high school rules should be thrown out. But this one I'm torn on. I'm just not quite sure why they roll them and then play with them for an entire race anyway. I agree with a previous poster maybe they subconsciously like that slut look.

I coach soccer and track, and there is nothing more aggravating than seeing a kid rolling his waistband down, or fixing his shorts to hang on his butt, while actively involved in a play. I pull the kids who do that. In track or cross country, I have not witnessed it as much. If they can set it up that way and not have to mess with it, I don't care, but if fashion takes precedence over the sport, they can sit and watch.