RULE 4: PLAYER EQUIPMENT
ART. 1 . . . The required player equipment includes a jersey, shorts, socks, suitable shoes and shinguards. The shinguards shall provide adequate and reasonable protection, be professionally manufactured, age- and size-appropriate, not altered to decrease protection, worn under the socks, and worn with the bottom edge no higher than 2 inches above the ankle (see illustrations regarding shinguards). Shinguards must meet the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) standards at the time of manufacture. The NOCSAE seal and height range shall be permanently marked on the front of the shinguard. With the exception of socks, equipment shall not be modified from its original manufactured state and shall be worn in the manner the manufacturer intended it to be worn. It is also recommended that male players wear a supporter and protective cup. Requirements for uniforms:
a. The visiting team shall wear solid white jerseys and solid white socks, and the home team shall wear dark jerseys and socks (dark is defined as any color which contrasts with white). The color gray and/or any other light colors being used for a home jersey, must meet the 70% shading of the main color being used in the jersey in order for it to clearly contrast with white.
b. Both socks shall be the same color, with the visiting team wearing solid white socks and the home team wearing socks of a single dominant color, but not necessarily the color of the jersey. If tape or a similar material (stays/straps) is applied externally to the socks, it must be of similar color as that part of the sock to which it is applied.
c. A manufacturer's logo/trademark appearing on both sides of the socks is legal.
d. If visible apparel is worn under the jersey and/or shorts, it shall be of a similar length for an individual and a solid-like color for the team.
e. One manufacturer's logo/trademark or reference is permitted on the outside of each item which may not exceed 2¼ square inches and may not exceed 2¼ inches in any dimension. (Subject to the provisions in 4-1-1d)
f. One American flag, not to exceed 2 inches by 3 inches, may be worn or occupy space on each item of uniform apparel. By state association adoption, to allow for special occasions, commemorative or memorial patches, not to exceed 4 square inches, may be worn on the jersey without compromising its integrity.
g. When an illegally uniformed team is unable to correct the situation or cannot verify state association approval of the uniform, the game shall be played. The referee must, however, notify the state association following the game.
h. Except for the uniform of the goalkeeper, jerseys, shorts and socks of teammates shall be of similar color, design and pattern.
1. All jerseys, including the goalkeeper's jersey, shall be numbered on the back with a different Arabic number at least 6 inches in height and on the front (jersey or shorts) with the same number, which shall be at least 4 inches in height. Numbers shall be of a solid contrasting color to the jersey (or shorts) and clearly visible.
2. Only those names, patches, emblems, logos or insignias referencing the school are permitted on the team jersey and/or shorts, as well as on visible undergarments and goalkeeper pants, except as in 4-1-1e. The player's name may also appear on the team uniform.
3. The jersey of the goalkeeper shall distinctly differ in color from that of any teammate or opposing field player. The shorts or pants of the goalkeeper are not required to be the same color as his/her teammates, but must comply with Rule 4-1-1h(1). The socks of the goalkeeper are not required to be the same color as his/her teammates but shall differ in color from the opposing field players.
i. Shoes must be worn by all participants in a game. Shoes with soles containing metal (aluminum, magnesium, titanium, etc.), leather, rubber, nylon, or plastic cleats, studs, or bars, whether molded as part of the sole or detachable, are allowed as long as the referee does not consider them dangerous.