Uniform and Equipment
Uniform Components
- Officials' Short- and Long-Sleeve Shirts
- Knickers and Shorts with Belt
- Officials' Hat
- Undershirt
- Officials' Socks
- Cleats / Turf Shoes
- Jacket
Equipment
- Whistles
- Penalty Flags
- Bean Bag Markers
- Game Data Card
- Pencils
- Down Indicator
- Linesman's Clip
- Wristwatch
- Flipping Coin
Officials' Shirts
Short- and long-sleeve striped football officials' shirts with Byron collar, 1-inch stripes, pocket and split tail for tucking into pants.
Do not buy any of the following shirts:
- "Old" NFL shirt, which has 2-inch stripes.
- Basketball shirt, which has a V neck and no pocket.
- Hockey shirt, which has no pocket and a banded waist, designed to be worn outside the pants, instead of a split tail for tucking into the pants.
Note: The Maryland state patch is worn on the right sleeve for games in Maryland. The D.C. patch is worn on the left sleeve for games in DC (Do not arrive at a DCIAA game without it!). The Commissioner will provide patches at the All-Day Clinic plus detailed information about their proper location on your shirt(s). New officials who only own a few shirts are encouraged to use velcro to secure the patches.
Knickers and Shorts
White football officials' knickers. No baseball pants or painter's pants.
White football officials' shorts (with belt loops) for sub-varsity games only . No beltless coaches' shorts.
NOTE: Beginning in 2010, the Foul-Weather Black Pants with 1 1/4" white stripe are allowed, but only if the entire crew is wearing them!
Plain black belt, at least 1 inch wide, with plain buckle.
Hats
Black football officials' cap with white piping. Referees wear all-White caps for Varsity games only. Sized caps are strongly preferred. Adjustable caps are discouraged.
Undershirt
Black undershirt, either T-shirt or compression shirt.
Socks
Black-and-white one-piece officiating sock with modified Northwestern stripe - 3 white bands, center band is larger than top and bottom bands. Typically sold as "NFHS/NCAA sock." Do not buy socks with an NFL stripe - two white bands, both the same size - and do not buy stirrups.
Cleats / Turf Shoes
Solid black cleated shoes. No white logos, i.e., Nike "swoosh," Converse star, etc. Keep your shoes shined and looking sharp.
Jacket / Windbreaker
Black windbreaker for pregame and halftime duties in cold weather. Many officials purchase a reversible jacket. The striped side of the jacket can only be used during a game in extreme circumstances.
Whistles
A finger whistle is recommended. If you prefer a whistle on a lanyard around your neck, the lanyard must be all black. Always carry a spare whistle.
Penalty Flags
Gold penalty flag(s), carried inconspicuously in front waistband or entirely in pants pocket. Many officials carry two flags.
Bean Bag Markers
White bean bag(s). Deep Officials (Back Judge / Side Judge / Field Judge) should carry at least 2 at all times. Bags may be nylon or vinyl and may be single or double-sided. While blue bean bags are available and allowed by rule, the Association discourages their use.
Game Data Card
May be either disposable paper or reusable plastic, for recording timeouts, result of coin toss, and other administrative information.
Pencils
For marking game data card. "Bullet" pencils are recommended and can be purchased from most officials' suppliers. Always carry a spare pencil.
Down Indicator
Worn over the wrist and fingers to help you remember which down is being played.
Linesman's Clip
Can be cloth or a plastic or metal dial. Clipped to the chains to mark their correct position in case they are moved inadvertantly.
Wristwatch
Must include a countdown timer (i.e., counts down from 12:00 to 0:00). Should also be water resistant.
Flipping Coin
A 50-cent piece or dollar coin are recommended. There are also special flipping coins available from any of the suppliers.
There are many firms that sell officiating uniforms and equipment, including local distributor TD Sports Supplier (call 703-631-1786 and ask for Dave Gould or Peggy Gould, or email them) and reputable mail order firms Honig's , +POS , Purchase , Stripes Plus, Cliff Keen and Get Official. TD Sports Supplier attends the WDFOA's All-Day Clinic each August and brings a complete line of uniforms and equipment. (Note: This list is provided for informational purposes only. The WDFOA does not endorse a particular firm and does not profit if you decide to do business with any of these firms.)
Which uniform should I take to the game?
» Take both long- and short-sleeve shirts to all games. The entire crew must wear the same type of shirt. (You will make many veteran officials very unhappy if you show up in long sleeves in 90-degree heat, conversely they'll be just as unhappy if you show up in short sleeves when it's 30.)
» Take both both knickers and shorts to subvarsity games. The entire crew must wear the same type of pants.
» For varsity assignments, take knickers only. Shorts are not permitted.
» For varsity chain crew assignments, wear full uniform with knickers (no shorts).
» For varsity clock operator assignments, wear black slacks, belt, shoes and socks, striped shirt and black & white hat. Take a whistle, too.
» Take black windbreaker to all cold-weather games. If windbreakers are desired for pregame and halftime duties, the entire crew must wear them.
Last Modified: Saturday, 17-Jul-2010 20:21 ET