Field Hockey Uniform Rules Interpretation Guide

1. 2008 NFHS Field Hockey Rules Interpretation Meeting B. Elliot Hopkins, CAA, NFHS Field Hockey Rules Editor

2. Rule 1-5-1, Player Uniform • Effective January 1, 2011, Jersey/Top color - 1. The home team shall wear single solid white uniform tops front and back on the torso and the visiting team shall wear single solid black or dark-colored uniform tops front and back on the torso. The "torso" is the portion of the top from an imaginary horizontal line at the base of the neckline extending to each armhole/sleeve, down to the bottom hem of the top and from side seam to side seam.

3. Rule 1-5-1, Player Uniform (cont.) • Identifying Name – 2. Team names and/or abbreviations may be placed on the front or back of the jersey/top. 3. Lettering must be placed horizontally and may be arched. Names may also be on multiple lines. 4. The first and last letters, either above or below the number, must be on the same horizontal plane. When above the number, the plane may not be below a plane extending through the top of the number(s). When below the number, the plane may not be above a plane extending through the bottom of the number(s).

4. Rule 1-5-1, Player Uniform (cont.) • 5. Any point on any letter shall not be closer than one inch to any point on any number(s). • 6. Any form of decorative accent (i.e. paw, halo, crown, star, etc.) in a name or abbreviation is only permitted above the number. If a tail is used in the lettering of an identifying name or abbreviation the name or abbreviation must be located below the number.

5. Rule 1-5-1, Player Uniform (cont.) • Above the Neckline – • 7. There are no restrictions in the area of the jersey/top from an imaginary horizontal line at the base of the neckline extending to each armhole/sleeve, up to the shoulder seam. 8. Different colors and/or designs may be used in this area. Neckline and Armhole/Sleeve Trim - 9. Trim shall not exceed 1 inch around the neck and arm openings.

6. Rule 1-5-1, Player Uniform (cont.) • Side Inserts – • 10. Side Inserts must be centered vertically below the armpit. • 11. The width of the side inserts, including trim must be a maximum of 4 inches (2 inches on each side of the seam). • 12. The style/design of the side insert may be of any color or design. Side inserts must be the same width for all team jerseys. Commemorative/memorial patches not to exceed 4 square inches with the state association approval may be worn in this area or above the neckline.

7. Rule 1-5-1, Player Uniform (cont.) • Rationale: The uniforms are becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate between home and visitor uniform tops. The new jerseys’/tops' predominant colors are slightly bigger than the side panels and are causing confusion with the game officials when making rulings and issuing penalties.

8. Legal Uniforms • Trim shall not exceed 1”inch around the neck and arm openings. • The home team shall wear single solid white uniform tops front and back on the torso. The torso is the portion of the top of the imaginary horizontal line at the base of the neckline extending to each armhole/sleeve, down to the bottom hem of the top and from side seam to side seam.

9. Legal Uniforms • No restrictions in the area of the jersey/top from an imaginary horizontal line at the base of the neckline extending to each armhole/sleeve up to the shoulder seam.

10. Legal Uniforms • Side inserts must be centered vertically below the armpit. • The width of the side inserts, including trim must be a maximum of 4” inches (2”inches on each side of the seam). • The style/design of the side insert may be any color or design.

11. Illegal Uniforms • The width of the side inserts, including trim must be a maximum of 4” inches (2”inches on each side of the seam). • The style/design of the side insert may be any color or design.

12. Illegal Uniforms • The width of the side inserts, including trim must be a maximum of 4” inches (2”inches on each side of the seam). • Side inserts must be the same width for all team jerseys.

13. Illegal Uniforms • Trim shall not exceed 1”inch around the neck and arm • openings.

14. Uniforms – Legal Styles/Designs • Members of each team shall be dressed uniformly, except the goalkeeper. • The uniform top shall have clearly visible numbers on the front and back. • The numbers shall be of a solid color contrasting to any surrounding colors.

15. Uniforms – Legal Styles/Designs • The “torso” is the portion of the top from an imaginary horizontal line at the base of the neckline extending to each armhole/sleeve, down to the bottom hem of the top and from side seam to side seam.

16. Uniforms – Legal Styles/Designs • Coaches and school administrators must ensure that legal uniforms are being ordered and purchased from manufacturers/distributors. • The following slides illustrate information sent to each state association.

17. Uniforms – Legal Styles/Designs E E D D High School Name Last Name C C A 25 25 B B B A A C Front View Back View Side View

18. Uniforms – Front View A. UNIFORM TOP COLOR • The “torso” is the portion of the uniform top from an imaginary horizontal line at the base of the neckline extending to each armhole, down to the bottom hem of the uniform top and from side seam to side seam. • The torso of the uniform top must be a single solid color (as of the 2011 season, white for home and dark or dark-colored for visitor). A NOTE: A “locker-tag” near the bottom of a jersey/uniform top designed to be tucked in, is not interpreted as “visible.”

19. Uniforms – Front View B. FRONT NUMBER • The number on the front shall be 3” to 6” inches high. • Numbers shall be plain Arabic numerals. 25 B

20. Uniforms – Front View B. FRONT NUMBER • Any number from 0 through 00 are legal. A team may not use both numbers 0 and 00. • Three digit numbers and duplicate numbers on player of the same team are not permitted. 25 B

21. Uniforms – Front View C. IDENTIFYING NAME • Team names and/or abbreviations or team member’s names may be placed on the front of the uniform top. • Lettering must be placed horizontally and may be arched. Names may also be on multiple lines. High School Name C 25

22. Uniforms – Front View C. IDENTIFYING NAME • The first and last letters, either above or below the number, must be on the same horizontal plane. When above the number, the plane may not be below a plane extending through the top of the number(s). When below the number, the plane may not be above a plane extending through the bottom of the number(s). • Any point on any letter shall not be closer than one inch to any point on any number(s). High School Name C 25

23. Uniforms – Front View C. IDENTIFYING NAME • Any form of decorative accent (i.e., paw, halo, crown, star, etc.) in a name or abbreviation is only permitted above the number. • If a tail is used in the lettering of an identifying name or abbreviation, the name or abbreviation must be located below the number. High School Name C 25

24. Uniforms – Front View D. ABOVE THE NECKLINE • There are no restrictions in the area of the uniform top from an imaginary horizontal line at the base of the neckline extending to each armhole, up to the shoulder seam. • Different colors and/or designs may be used in this area. • Commemorative/memorial patches (not to exceed 4 square inches), if worn, must be in this area or in the side insert. D High School Name 25

25. Uniforms – Front View E. NECKLINE & ARMHOLE TRIM • Trim shall not exceed 1 inch around the neck and arm openings. E High School Name 25

26. Uniforms – Back View A. UNIFORM TOP COLOR • The back “torso” is the portion of the top from the bottom of the back panel, if used, down to the bottom hem of the uniform top and from side seam to side seam. • The back torso of the uniform top must be the same single solid color as the front. A

27. Uniforms – Back View B. BACK NUMBER • The number on the back shall be 6” to 8” inches high. • The back numbers shall meet all the remaining specifications of the front number as previously noted (Front View, B.2-B.4). 25 B

28. Uniforms – Back View C. IDENTIFYING NAME • Team names and/or abbreviations or team member’s names may be placed horizontally on the back of the uniform top. • Lettering on the back of the uniform top shall meet all the specifications of the front lettering as previously noted(Front View, C.2-C.6). Last Name C 25

29. Uniforms – Back View D. BACK PANEL • If a back panel is used, it must be of the same color, and not exceed the size of the corresponding area in the front, above the neckline. D Last Name 25

30. Uniforms – Back View E. NECKLINE & ARMHOLE TRIM • Trim shall not exceed 1 inch around the neck and arm openings. E Last Name 25

31. Uniforms – Side View A. LOCATION • Side inserts must be centered vertically below the armpit. B. WIDTH • Side inserts, including trim, must be a maximum of 4 inches (2 inches on each side of the seam). A B

32. Uniforms – Side View C. STYLE/DESIGN • Side inserts may be of any color or design. • Side inserts must be the same width for all team uniform tops. • Commemorative/memorial patches (not to exceed 4 square inches), with the state association approval may be worn, must be in this area or in the area above the neckline. C