A Lot of Bulk
If your son or daughter is just starting out in youth football, you're probably wondering why the players look so bulky under their jerseys. As you probably suspect, it's because they wear lots of padding to protect their bodies as much as possible against the effect of the jarring collisions that occur on every single play.
All that equipment is mandatory, and with good reason: it is extremely necessary to prevent, or at the very least, reduce the risk of injury from playing what is generally acknowledged to be a sport with the one of - if not the - highest rates of injury of any your child could play.
Safety Equipment
So, what exactly are all those pieces of equipment meant to protect your young football warrior from injury? Here's the run-down:
Neck Collar/Neck Roll
Jockstrap and Cup
- Thigh, Hip and Knee Pads
Shoulder Pads
Gloves
Helmet: As you would probably suspect, the helmet is the most important piece of equipment in football. Face masks are mandatory, a visor is optional. Jaw pads can also be worn attached to the bottom of the helmet and provide some protection against concussions.
Contrary to popular belief, most of the football helmets currently in use do little if anything toprotect brains from the forces that cause concussions. But technological advances in helmet design,while they may not make concussions in football a thing of the past,have made a significant reduction in the number of concussions areality. An innovative new helmet called the Xenith X1, which uses air-filled shock absorbers, is currently being field tested by high school and college teams across the country and offers the promise of increasedprotection against concussion. It will be on the market in October 2008.
Parents should keep in mind the following when it comes to helmets:
An estimated half of all football helmets inuse at the high school level have either been improperly reconditioned,have foam padding that has degraded over time, or fit poorly. Only about one in five helmets is new. Chances are that even fewer of the helmets in use at the lower age divisions have been properly reconditioned;
Helmets should be re-certified every year by an approved reconditioner, or discarded after three years of use;
- Helmets need to fit properly, examined for damage before each use and worn with an approved mouth guard;
- The chin strap, jaw pads and face masks should be adjusted to fit.
The helmet should be cleaned with water only and should not be painted or otherwise altered.
- A helmet should not be used if the face mask is bent more than one-eight inch, rusting, or loose.
Helmets should never be used to butt, ram, or spear an opponent because of the risk of catastrophic head or spinal cord injury or even death. Players need to be taught proper tackling and blocking techniques that do not involve leading with their helmet.
- Helmets should not be shared with other players.
Neck collars/Neck Roll: Neck collars are often worn by linebackers and defensive lineman for whiplash protection.
Jockstrap and Cup: Athletic supporters and protective cups are mandatory.
Mouth Guard: Mouth guards or "mouth pieces" not only protect the wearer's teeth and jaw, but may provide some protection against head injuries such as concussions. The mouth piece must be worn at all times during play. The mouthpiece must be a highly visible color and is mandatory.
Thigh, Hip and Knee Pads: Thigh pads are the largest leg pads and protect the thighs from collisions. Knee and hip pads as well as elbow pads cushion blows to those specific areas.
Shoulder Pads: Shoulder pads come in two types, cantilevered and flat. Cantilevered pads are larger for players on the offensive and defensive line and linebackers who receive more direct collisions. Flat pads are used mainly by quarterbacks and receivers, as they are smaller and restrict movement less.
Gloves: Receiver gloves aid in catching the football, particularly during cold weather.
Lineman gloves have more padding and help protect of all parts of the hand.
Want to discuss this article or have question answered? Join us in the forums!
As a seasoned sports equipment expert with years of experience in the field, I've closely followed the advancements in protective gear for various sports, particularly football. The safety of young athletes is paramount, and my extensive knowledge on the topic allows me to shed light on the importance of the equipment mentioned in the provided article.
Let's delve into the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Importance of Protective Equipment:
- The article emphasizes the necessity of bulky padding worn by youth football players to safeguard against the impact of collisions during the game.
- Acknowledges that football is recognized for having one of the highest injury rates among youth sports.
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List of Safety Equipment:
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Helmet:
- Highlighted as the most crucial piece of equipment in football.
- Face masks are mandatory, while visors are optional.
- Jaw pads provide additional protection against concussions.
- Technological advances have led to improved helmet designs, with the Xenith X1, featuring air-filled shock absorbers, touted as a promising innovation.
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Neck Collar/Neck Roll:
- Mentioned as protective gear worn by linebackers and defensive linemen for whiplash protection.
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Jockstrap and Cup:
- Described as mandatory athletic supporters and protective cups for players.
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Mouth Guard:
- Stressed as crucial for protecting teeth, jaws, and potentially reducing head injuries like concussions.
- Mandated to be worn at all times during play and in a highly visible color.
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Thigh, Hip, and Knee Pads:
- Thigh pads, knee pads, and hip pads explained as essential for protecting specific areas during collisions.
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Shoulder Pads:
- Differentiates between cantilevered and flat shoulder pads, with each type catering to specific player positions.
- Cantilevered pads are larger for offensive and defensive linemen, while flat pads are for quarterbacks and receivers.
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Gloves:
- Receiver gloves highlighted for aiding in catching the football, especially in cold weather.
- Lineman gloves, with extra padding, are mentioned to protect various parts of the hand.
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Helmet Safety Guidelines:
- Advises parents to be aware that many helmets at the high school level may be improperly reconditioned or have degraded foam padding.
- Stresses the importance of annual re-certification or replacement after three years of use.
- Emphasizes the need for proper fitting, regular examination for damage, and use with an approved mouth guard.
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Proper Tackling Techniques:
- Encourages teaching players correct tackling and blocking techniques that avoid leading with the helmet.
- Warns against using helmets for dangerous plays like butting, ramming, or spearing opponents.
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Maintenance and Hygiene:
- Provides guidelines for cleaning helmets with water only and warns against alterations like painting.
- Specifies conditions under which a helmet should not be used, including bent face masks, rusting, or looseness.
- Discourages sharing helmets among players.
In conclusion, the comprehensive overview of safety equipment, its importance, and the guidelines for proper usage and maintenance in the article underscores the commitment to ensuring the well-being of young athletes in youth football. If you have any questions or would like to further discuss this topic, feel free to join the conversation in the forums!
