Liquid Chalk for Football: Receivers, Linemen and What the Rules Say

"Is liquid chalk legal in the NFL?" is one of the most searched chalk questions. The honest answer: the rules ban substances by effect, not by name, so check before game day. In training it is a different story.

What the rules say

• NFL: Rule 5, Section 4, Article 4 prohibits "adhesive or slippery substances on the body, equipment, or uniform of any player," with a proviso allowing gloves with a tackified surface if the tacky substance does not adhere to the ball. The ban on Stickum dates to 1981.
• NCAA: Rule 1-4-7-g lists as illegal "adhesive material, paint, grease or any other slippery substance applied to equipment or a player's person."
• Neither rule names chalk. Chalk is a drying agent, not an adhesive, but officials and leagues make the call. Ask your league, conference or officials before using anything on game day.

Where chalk clearly fits: the weight room

Football is built in the weight room: deadlifts, cleans, rows, pull-ups and farmer carries. That is where liquid chalk does its job with no rules question at all. It keeps the bar in your hands without coating the team's equipment in powder. See liquid chalk for deadlifts and deadlift grip types.

Gloves vs chalk

Receiver gloves with a tacky palm are the standard on the field and are allowed under the NFL proviso above. Chalk under gloves does not help; a tacky glove needs a clean surface. Chalk is for bare-hand work: lifting, and drills where you train without gloves.

Skin care for two-a-days

Alcohol-based chalk dries the skin. Wash it off after training and moisturize at night: hand care routine.

Odyssey Liquid Chalk is built for barbell grip: Nonso Chinye pulled his 420 kg (926 lb) IPF World Record deadlift with it.