Football is physical
Today’s football is a seriously physical sport. It may be our country’s favorite game, but it can still be very dangerous and hundreds of people get injured playing it every year. In football, the players must actively be concerned about safety during all parts of the game. Knowing the proper technical procedures and having well fitted, sturdy gear goes a long way in protecting the player, but the most important part is that the player thinks with safety in mind.
The history of defensive gear
Protective gear and padding plays a huge role in football today, although this is a relatively new concept. Protective padding was the first accepted form of defense attire, and helmets were considered merely an option for a while after that. It was not until 1939 that helmets were considered a non optional piece of defensive equipment in college football, and not until 1943 in the National Football League (NFL).
Leather helmets
Leather helmets were some of the first iterations of football helmets, and eventually evolved into padded leather for even more cushion. Over time, the helmet gradually evolved into its current state, but the adding of padding, flaps, and ear holes. The decorating of helmets has been a tradition lasting as long as helmets have been used, and often play a critical role in helping players identify their teammates in a tight situation.
Youth football helmets
Youth football helmets should be fitted by an experienced person who has done it many times before. While fitting, the youth’s hair should be completely wet to imitate the sweaty conditions it will be forced to endure while playing. If the person getting fitted undergoes any major hair style changes, the helmet will need to be refit again by a knowledgeable person.
The very best fitted helmet completely nullifies any motion between the head and the helmet. In order to viably test this, you need to remove the jaw pads, and rotate your head from left to right. If the player feels any motion at all on his forehead, he will need a tighter fit. If there is no movement, the helmet is probably fit perfectly. Try wiggling your head around and simulating potential plays that the helmet will endure before you completely judge it as snug. You should also never have a helmet that is too tight, as this could make you lightheaded and will be uncomfortable.
Helmet accessories
All youth football helmets needs to have a proper nose guard, and appropriately thick jaw pads will need to be installed to prevent any horizontal turning of the helmet. There needs to be no gap between the jaw pads and your skin. A four point chin strap is highly recommended and it should have the same tension on each of the four straps, with no slack. It is highly discouraged to wear bandanas, doo rags, or any sort of head covering underneath a helmet, as this can reduce its effectiveness.
Face masks
Face masks are another very important facet of defensive gear when playing football. It is recommended to check your face mask with your helmet to make sure they fit together. The sides of the face mask plastic may be a bit uneven, or it might fit oddly, which would alter the shape of the mask. If the mask too close to the face, injury can occur on impact due to the pressure involved from rough contact. The opening for your face needs to be able to keep both arms and shoes out of your helmet. If the style of the bars used by your mask are too low, you run the risk of injury, and too high impacts your ability to see properly.
Defensive padding
Shoulder pads come in many different styles and designs, depending on what position on the field you play. Getting your pads fitted properly is very important, so knowing what position you play first is mandatory. As soon as a pad is fitted by someone who has experience fitting them, it should only be used by the person it was fitted for. As you use the shoulder pads, you should be aware that you need to maintain them by constantly observing for any cracks or loose rivets. Any damaged parts of your pads can lead to potential injury if ignored, so make sure to stay on top of it.
Other types of pads, for your legs and knees for example, need to be large enough to completely shield the desired area, yet small enough not to impact mobility. The player’s pants are integral when it comes to holding the leg pads in position, so the pants need to be somewhat tight in order to prevent the pads from sliding around and becoming uncomfortable.