socks

[Woodenstick]

OK, let's talk about the important stuff. Do you always where the long socks, or do you go to short socks for youth games, summer league, indoor, or summer tournaments? Late this spring I converted to short for my youth games (all of which I did solo). Saves on laundry, and more comfortable.

But does this make you look unprofessional, especially if your partner is "going long?" Also, if short socks is going to be the rule, how short should we be? I just have this thing that the partners should match, maybe I am pyschologically disturbed....

[LaxRef]

OK, let's talk about the important stuff. Do you always where the long socks, or do you go to short socks for youth games, summer league, indoor, or summer tournaments? Late this spring I converted to short for my youth games (all of which I did solo). Saves on laundry, and more comfortable.

But does this make you look unprofessional, especially if your partner is "going long?" Also, if short socks is going to be the rule, how short should we be? I just have this thing that the partners should match, maybe I am pyschologically disturbed....


Around here, for summer games we go short socks and, if it's hot, not hats.

[laxfan25]

maybe I am pyschologically disturbed....
Well that's a given, seeing the avocation you've set out on. My God, have you lost your mind??
I've never gone with the short sock option, because no one ever offered! I did see mention of it in reference to Vail.
Speaking of short socks, I found some terrific Champion ones at Costco. They have a very thick cushioned bottom, and they are the golf-sock length. I actually used them this season underneath my one-piece black-white socks - seemed to help the tootsies stay cool and blister-free.

[blindbill]

AAH, running in the heat. Now that's something I know something about!

Get black wickaway (Underarmor or equivalent), loose fitting undershirt, 1/4 high
wickaway socks, black sweat band to fit under a black visor.

With the stripes on, the chicks still dig a guy in uniform - cool, calm and collected!

[laxfan25]

AAH, running in the heat. Now that's something I know something about!

Get black wickaway (Underarmor or equivalent), loose fitting undershirt, 1/4 high
wickaway socks, black sweat band to fit under a black visor.

With the stripes on, the chicks still dig a guy in uniform - cool, calm and collected!
Can we get a picture for the GQ - Men in Stripes edition? :agree:

[BlueJaysLaxFan]

Well that's a given, seeing the avocation you've set out on. My God, have you lost your mind??

Yes.

I've never gone with the short sock option, because no one ever offered! I did see mention of it in reference to Vail.
Speaking of short socks, I found some terrific Champion ones at Costco. They have a very thick cushioned bottom, and they are the golf-sock length. I actually used them this season underneath my one-piece black-white socks - seemed to help the tootsies stay cool and blister-free.

Funny that you should say this, because I've bought those same Champion ankle socks from Costco, and they are comfy! Around these parts, we've been told by the assigner that ankle socks are okay for summer leagues, and I've been wearing them since my first summer game (and my partners on the field have done the same). I even had a game on Sunday where my partner decided to not wear black shoes due to the heat. The no hat option sounds pretty good too, but I still need to block out the late afternoon sun. I now see why those soccer refs wear those light colored and light fabric tops.

[blindbill]

Nothing less than Cosmo!!

[BlaxMcashX]

I'm not into the long socks. I always where short ones.

[Storm21]

OK, let's talk about the important stuff. Do you always where the long socks, or do you go to short socks for youth games, summer league, indoor, or summer tournaments? Late this spring I converted to short for my youth games (all of which I did solo). Saves on laundry, and more comfortable.

But does this make you look unprofessional, especially if your partner is "going long?" Also, if short socks is going to be the rule, how short should we be? I just have this thing that the partners should match, maybe I am pyschologically disturbed....


I reff box so we dress diffrent, but the same can kind of be said about pants or shorts. we usually wear pants, i think it looks more professional, but we wear what out partner wear unless we absolutly cant

[Rileylax]

Our summer league is white shorts, black t, short socks, hat is optional but partners must all match. Box is black shorts, stripes, short socks. Regular season is by the book.

[azlaxref1]

When is the last time our uniform has been changed/updated?....I've had players tell me they would like to ref but the outfit is lame.

[LaxRef]

When is the last time our uniform has been changed/updated?....I've had players tell me they would like to ref but the outfit is lame.

Not for a long time. It would require a rule change at both levels (NCAA and NFHS) since the uniforms are specified in the rulebook, not the mechanics manual. Besides, do you have any freaking idea how much money I have invested in officiating clothing?! :chair:

Frankly, I'd have to say that I can't imagine that we're losing great future officials if their main concern is how the uniform looks.

[laxfan25]

When is the last time our uniform has been changed/updated?....I've had players tell me they would like to ref but the outfit is lame.
Well if you look anythng like your signature image - I can see why they might be turned off! :chuckle:

[azlaxref1]

Not for a long time. It would require a rule change at both levels (NCAA and NFHS) since the uniforms are specified in the rulebook, not the mechanics manual. Besides, do you have any freaking idea how much money I have invested in officiating clothing?! :chair:

Frankly, I'd have to say that I can't imagine that we're losing great future officials if their main concern is how the uniform looks.
Your going to replace your worn out ref clothing anyway...."Beginning in 2010, the recommended uniform for officials shall include..." is that so hard? Did anyone else notice that our uniform is only "recommended" but we "must have" the proper equipment?

[LaxRef]

Your going to replace your worn out ref clothing anyway...."Beginning in 2010, the recommended uniform for officials shall include..." is that so hard?

The problem would be that for several years you'd have mismatched crews. Also, I'll replace stuff a little at a time, and use old jerseys on muddy days to preserve the new ones, etc. If we have to suddenly wear something else, we won't be able to do that.

BTW, are they having trouble recuiting football officials because of the uniforms? They have the same stripes that we do, but they have to wear knickers! :thinking:

[Snake~eyes]

LaxRef is right on, regardless what kind of uniform change are you going ot make, I'm interested in what anyone would suggest?

[LaxRef]

I'm interested in what anyone would suggest?


I've heard that in Canada they do things like nice polo shirts or something instead of striped shirts. But they change them all the time and it gets expensive.

[Woodenstick]

If all you do is change the socks, that should not be a big financial burden, and eventually it will save everyone money. You can buy a six pack of regular socks for the cost of one set of long socks.

The striped jersey is used in other sports, and is recognizable, and will never be confused with player jerseys, so I would stick to that. In soccer, you have to buy multiple colors because the relatively plain ref jerseys are always getting confused with the player jerseys. I have four colors, long and short sleeves, which starts to cost money.

[azlaxref1]

Let's start with the socks and then reevaluate when it gets approved/disapproved.

[LaxRef]

Let's start with the socks and then reevaluate when it gets approved/disapproved.

So, you just want plain white socks instead of the white-with-black-top socks?

[ColtsLax]

when soccer changed their ref jerseys, they add them as recommended in i believe 2000ish, and then made them mandatory 3-4 years later. I have a yellow, red, blue, black, and Purple soccer jersey, Yellow being the main.

[LaxRef]

when soccer changed their ref jerseys, they add them as recommended in i believe 2000ish, and then made them mandatory 3-4 years later. I have a yellow, red, blue, black, and Purple soccer jersey, Yellow being the main.

I'd sure hate to have to buy all those different colors in short-sleeved, long-sleeved, mesh, and long-sleeved windstopper.

[shrekjr]

We wear the short white socks in the summer. I'd vote for them year-round. Makes the tan look more normal. :) The only drawback is that even saying everyone must short white socks doesn't mean all the partners will look the same. We wore them in Vail this week and some had socks you could barely see above the shoe, some had them 2-3 inches above the ankle, and some of those had manufacturer logos.

[Park City Pole]

Our local tourney, the Ski Town Shootout Park City UT, featured officials in a psuedo hawaiian shirts...

[laxfan25]

Our local tourney, the Ski Town Shootout Park City UT, featured officials in a psuedo hawaiian shirts...
I LIKE it!

[blindbill]

What is a "psuedo Hawaiian shirt"?

[azlaxref1]

So, you just want plain white socks instead of the white-with-black-top socks?

I think the issue with the socks is the length? Rule book says "...over the calf...or knee length..." I can't find my 2000 mechanics manual....I think it actually specified the dimension of the sock below the knee? Can we add an option to specifiy the length above the top of the shoe? Should we also add a statement that the crew's uniform should match; color & length in the case of the socks?

[BlueJaysLaxFan]

I think the issue with the socks is the length? Rule book says "...over the calf...or knee length..." I can't find my 2000 mechanics manual....I think it actually specified the dimension of the sock below the knee? Can we add an option to specifiy the length above the top of the shoe? Should we also add a statement that the crew's uniform should match; color & length in the case of the socks?

Some officials will wear 2 socks: a longer black sock that reaches up to the calf, and then over it a shorter white sock. This can potentially save one money, but I also wondered if this was the original uniform? The one piece sock that we buy and wear may be an outgrowth of an original 2 piece version.

[BlueJaysLaxFan]

I thought that I'd update this thread now that the NFL has debuted their new officials uniforms. Any opinions on this? If you haven't yet seen them, the vertical stripes still exist with the white stripes being wider, and the black stripes flare up to the shoulders. They still plan to wear white knickers except in cold weather where they will wear long black pants (probably nylon rain pants?). They were designed by Reebok and use a lighter-weight fabric that keeps you cool and warm depending on the temperature.
I think that with the continued succuss of the NFL, this was a good change for the officials. As for myself, I actually like the uniform but would be extremely hesitant to pay the money to replace my existing shirts.

[LaxRef]

As for myself, I actually like the uniform but would be extremely hesitant to pay the money to replace my existing shirts.

I'm with that. It's expensive enough to buy equipment for officiating without having to replace perfectly good gear.

The only thing I wouldn't mind is if they gave us the option for black shorts, since they last longer (don't get mud stains). However, they'd probably end up fading and still having to get replaced.