The mere mention "officials" and "knee pads" in the same sentence is almost guaranteed to solicit at least an eye roll from every high school coach in the country.
While, on Friday nights in the fall, players are caught up emulating what they see from icons at the college and professional levels on Saturday and Sundays, officiating crews show up to high school games every Friday night across the country insisting that coaches police the knees of their players, making sure their knees are covered completely to comply with NFHS rules.
For years it has been a universal point of contention among coaches, and many officiating crews add eye black to the list of things that are (unnecessarily) cracked down on in those pregame meetings on the field with head coaches.
According to new NFHS rules, we can add two more pieces of equipment to the growing list of equipment that will be cracked down soon.
Before we get to those though, the NFHS has seen it fit to add a mode of electronic communication with players during games, although not the you're likely thinking of.
While college football had direct-to-player helmet communication for the first time this season, in-helmet communication is still not permitted at the high school level. However, a rule change now allows "fixed electronic signs with play signals as well as non-audio methods," is now permitted.
So sending play signals in to players via a giant TV is now legal, it seems? Okay then.
On to what we are really here for though, those new rules governing mouthpieces and arm sleeves.
Starting in 2027, tooth and mouth protectors a) shall not include any attachment(s) that do not serve a purpose and function in protecting the teeth or mouth, and b) shall not include anything that is a health or risk issue and could pose danger to themselves or other players.
My interpretation of that is the popular mouth guards that include the lip protectors - and the ones made to look like pacifiers - will no longer be allowed, seeing that they "do not serve a purpose and function in protecting the teeth or mouth."
Changes to arm sleeves are also on the way.
The Sports and Fitness Industry Association, working alongside arm sleeve manufacturers and the NFHS have developed new specifications that closely align with that of football gloves that will go into effect for the 2027 season.
Those changes were recommended by the NFHS Football Rules committee back in January at their meeting in Indianapolis, and the changes were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
Maybe the focus on mouthpieces and arm sleeves will mean kneepads get eased up on a bit?
Eh, I don't think anyone is holding their breath.
See more of the rule changes via this link.