Gear

Colony Knights Football Gear Requirements & Expectations

Being part of the Colony Football Program means committing to a high standard — on the field, in the classroom, and in how we prepare every day. Our equipment process is built around player safety, organization, accountability, and fairness to every athlete in the program.

The Colony Football Program and Booster Club invest thousands of dollars each season into certified football equipment, uniforms, travel gear, and player safety items. We ask every family to help us protect that investment by following the procedures below.

Team-Issued Equipment

Each player will be issued equipment based on team level and availability, including:

Helmet
Shoulder Pads
Practice Jersey
Game Pants (issued weekly)
Game Jersey (issued weekly)
Game Travel Bag
Varsity Lineman Knee Braces (Varsity linemen only, if applicable)

Gear Deposit

A $250 gear deposit is required at the time equipment is checked out.

Cash or check accepted
Checks will only be cashed if gear is not returned
Deposits will be returned once all issued equipment is turned in and verified at the end of the season

The Booster Club handles deposit collection and tracking. Coaching staff will continue overseeing equipment issue, fitting, and return procedures.

Gear Checkout Procedures

To help keep the process fair and organized for all players:

Players must complete gear registration/check-out before equipment is issued
Parents/guardians will electronically acknowledge equipment expectations and return requirements
Coaches will oversee all equipment fitting and distribution

We are intentionally keeping gear checkout procedures consistent for every player to avoid confusion, favoritism, or equipment shortages throughout the season.

Gear checkout dates will be organized around summer camps and preseason participation schedules.

Game Uniform Procedure

Game uniforms are handled weekly throughout the season.

Wednesdays

Players will receive:

Game Jersey
Game Pants

Mondays

All game gear must be returned following the game week.

Players are expected to keep all issued gear clean and accounted for throughout the season.

Personal Equipment

Players may use personal helmets or shoulder pads only if:

Equipment was purchased within the last 24 months
Certification labels are current and visible
Equipment is inspected and approved by coaching staff

Safety approval is at the discretion of the coaching staff.

Player-Supplied Required Gear

1. 7-Pad Football Girdle

All players are required to wear a 7-pad girdle including:

Tailbone Pad
Hip Pads
Thigh Pads
Knee Pads

Knee pads are mandatory and will not be provided by the program.

Players without proper knee pads will not be allowed to participate in practice or games.

Why We Require 7-Pad Girdles

Using a full 7-pad girdle:

Keeps required pads secured properly
Reduces lost equipment
Helps maintain NFHS safety compliance
Improves consistency across the program

NFHS rules require all knee pads and protective padding to be properly worn and fully covered by football pants.

2. Mouthguard

Mouthguards are required any time a helmet is worn.

Requirements:

Must be attached to the helmet
Must be functional and unaltered
No decorative attachments

Basic mouthguards may be available for purchase, but players are strongly encouraged to purchase a properly fitted mouthguard for safety and comfort.

No mouthguard = No participation.

3. Cleats

Molded plastic cleats only
No metal spikes
No red or blue cleats

Approved colors:

Black
White
Green
Neutral colors

Players are expected to represent Colony Football by following team color standards.

4. Practice Attire

Practice expectations include:

Shorts must fully cover girdles and pads
Shirts must remain on at all times
No practicing shirtless
No red or blue clothing during practice

Players may be asked to change if attire does not meet team expectations.

We expect players to consistently look and act like a team.

Game Day Expectations

Travel / Pre-Game Attire

All players are expected to wear:

Black sweatpants
Black hoodie

These may be:

Team-issued or BSN apparel
Generic black clothing from any retailer

The goal is a clean, unified team appearance on game days and during travel.

Game Socks

Players must wear matching socks each week as determined by coaches.

Approved colors:

Black
White

Players will be notified weekly which color the team will wear.

Equipment Responsibility

Players are responsible for all equipment issued to them throughout the season.

Lost, damaged, altered, or unreturned equipment may result in:

Deposit forfeiture
Replacement fees
Delayed future gear checkout

We ask players and families to help us protect program equipment so we can continue providing quality gear for future athletes.

If you have questions regarding equipment, deposits, or gear procedures, please contact the coaching staff or the Colony Football Booster Club. Thank you for helping us maintain the standards and expectations of Colony Football.