Helmet's versus Concussions?

[Bulldog]

It's well known that concussions are way up in the NFL. Many of the discussions revolve mostly about a new helmet design. I have a friend who is a retired football coach. We were discussing this issue recently, and he brought up an interesting point that I had not previously considered.

He told me that he believes that players (both nfl and college) are using helmets that are too big for their heads. He stated that anytime you see a player pick up a helmet by the face mask and put that helmet on his head without having to use too hands, that helmet is too large.

I played football back in the 80's, and I always remember having to use both hands to pull the helmet down on my head. I also remember basically being miserable (daily headaches) for the first few weeks of practice until you got the pads in the helmet broke in. I never remember seeing helmets come off of players during plays (High school, college, or NFL) in those days either.

Could the simple answer to all of these concussions be to use a helmet that fits? Just food for thought on a slow day.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I never thought about it, but you're right. When I was a kid it was pretty miserable to get your helmet on and off at least for the first few days, and even after that it wasn't a piece of cake. Now guys put them on and take them off like they're a baseball cap.

Not sure how drastically that would affect concussions, though. Personally, I think they just are looking for them more now. I remember doing tons of head ons in one early practice to try to get the coaches' attention and not sleeping at all that night because my head was ringing all night. That was a concussion, but no one -- me included -- ever thought about it in those terms.

 

[SDogo]

I never thought about it, but you're right. When I was a kid it was pretty miserable to get your helmet on and off at least for the first few days, and even after that it wasn't a piece of cake. Now guys put them on and take them off like they're a baseball cap.

Not sure how drastically that would affect concussions, though. Personally, I think they just are looking for them more now. I remember doing tons of head ons in one early practice to try to get the coaches' attention and not sleeping at all that night because my head was ringing all night. That was a concussion, but no one -- me included -- ever thought about it in those terms.

Yeah you know, it's so simple but so true. I have flashbacks now thinking about it.

Very interesting.

 

[Bulldog]

I never thought about it, but you're right. When I was a kid it was pretty miserable to get your helmet on and off at least for the first few days, and even after that it wasn't a piece of cake. Now guys put them on and take them off like they're a baseball cap.

Not sure how drastically that would affect concussions, though. Personally, I think they just are looking for them more now. I remember doing tons of head ons in one early practice to try to get the coaches' attention and not sleeping at all that night because my head was ringing all night. That was a concussion, but no one -- me included -- ever thought about it in those terms.

Thats true....we used to do the "How many fingers do you see ..Close enough...now get back in there" test.

 

[MagicMan]

Ironically, I think that it is the construction of "safer" helmets that give a player the false sense of safety/security and allow themselves to put their head down to absorb impacts or sometimes use it as a weapon. Usually doesn't wind up positive due to concussions or neck/spine injuries. So I don't think "better or safer" helmets are the answer. Nor fitting helmets. It will still only encourage same type of play.

Not that they will go back to leather helmets, but I am sure you would not be using your head wearing one of those things. You would be tackling with your head up and wrapping your arms. Players would need to be concerned about their head or health in order to minimize injuries.

I am no doctor, psychologist or therapist.....just my thoughts on this.

 

[jrumann59]

Ultimately it comes down to the equipment guy to make sure the helmet is properly fitting. But you are right. I am also willing to bet all the long hair and dreads probably do not help either. I know when I buckled my chin strap it was uncomfortable to open my mouth also. Our coaches made us run laps if out helmet was not squared away, chin strap was more or less centered so that it pulled equally on the chin, all pads in the helmet had to be in good shape with no tears or hardening. I got knocked out in a game but suffered no concussions.

 

[Eskimo]

One thing to consider with helmets is that they are of no use in the setting of rapid acceleration/deceleration of the head during a major impact. With the size and speed of today's game I think this plays a bigger role than it used to.

 

[mrla]

What about putting an outer[/B]covering on the helmets, perhaps made of thick rubber, to help absorb the energy transmitted during helmet to helmet, helmet to knee...etc?

 

[morieeel]

What about putting an outer[/B]covering on the helmets, perhaps made of thick rubber, to help absorb the energy transmitted during helmet to helmet, helmet to knee...etc?

I seem to remember an olineman with the 49ers had something similar to this back in the 90's. The only reason I remember was because it kept flying off so much to the point where Steve Young got mad and flung it back @ the lineman.

 

[Wimbo]

Think of the skull as an eggshell and the brain as the egg yolk. The egg white is the fluid between the skull and the brain. Assume a perfectly fitting helmet is placed on the egg. Now throw the egg against a wall. The helmet may very well protect the eggshell from cracking, but it does nothing to prevent the egg yolk from slamming against the inside of the eggshell & breaking the yolk. That is essentially what happens with a concussion. The brain is damaged by making contact with the inside of the skull. Helmets can't do much to prevent that from happening... regardless of how well they fit.
I do agree that players these days wear them too loose, though.

 

[mrla]

Think of the skull as an eggshell and the brain as the egg yolk. The egg white is the fluid between the skull and the brain. Assume a perfectly fitting helmet is placed on the egg. Now throw the egg against a wall. The helmet may very well protect the eggshell from cracking, but it does nothing to prevent the egg yolk from slamming against the inside of the eggshell & breaking the yolk. That is essentially what happens with a concussion. The brain is damaged by making contact with the inside of the skull. Helmets can't do much to prevent that from happening... regardless of how well they fit.
I do agree that players these days wear them too loose, though.

That is a GREAT analogy...never thought of it that way...thanks!!

 

[Doomsday101]

Think of the skull as an eggshell and the brain as the egg yolk. The egg white is the fluid between the skull and the brain. Assume a perfectly fitting helmet is placed on the egg. Now throw the egg against a wall. The helmet may very well protect the eggshell from cracking, but it does nothing to prevent the egg yolk from slamming against the inside of the eggshell & breaking the yolk. That is essentially what happens with a concussion. The brain is damaged by making contact with the inside of the skull. Helmets can't do much to prevent that from happening... regardless of how well they fit.
I do agree that players these days wear them too loose, though.

I agree. I think the league should look at any equipment that can help of lessen the chance of a head injury but for the most part as you said the brain is like a yoke inside an egg the impact is taking place inside the skull so when a guys head is slammed to the turf his head is being protected but inside the brain will still be impacted

 

[IlliniNation]

Im a High School Coach. We fit each kid individually with their helmets. Our big problem is kids keeping their helmets aired up. We use Riddell Revolutions. Kids dont realize how much air leaks out after a practice or game and fail to get them aired back up. They take a big hit without the air and it doesnt protect them like it should. This could also be a factor in helmets then becoming to small and falling off during a game.

 

[Future]

One thing to consider with helmets is that they are of no use in the setting of rapid acceleration/deceleration of the head during a major impact. With the size and speed of today's game I think this plays a bigger role than it used to.

This is what I thought. I always thought more concussions came from the brain getting rattled around that from blunt force. A big helmet wouldn't make that much of a difference in that instance I don't think.

 

[fortdick]

Think of the skull as an eggshell and the brain as the egg yolk. The egg white is the fluid between the skull and the brain. Assume a perfectly fitting helmet is placed on the egg. Now throw the egg against a wall. The helmet may very well protect the eggshell from cracking, but it does nothing to prevent the egg yolk from slamming against the inside of the eggshell & breaking the yolk. That is essentially what happens with a concussion. The brain is damaged by making contact with the inside of the skull. Helmets can't do much to prevent that from happening... regardless of how well they fit.
I do agree that players these days wear them too loose, though.

So only use players with small yolks?

 

[2233boys]

It's well known that concussions are way up in the NFL. Many of the discussions revolve mostly about a new helmet design. I have a friend who is a retired football coach. We were discussing this issue recently, and he brought up an interesting point that I had not previously considered.

He told me that he believes that players (both nfl and college) are using helmets that are too big for their heads. He stated that anytime you see a player pick up a helmet by the face mask and put that helmet on his head without having to use too hands, that helmet is too large.

I played football back in the 80's, and I always remember having to use both hands to pull the helmet down on my head. I also remember basically being miserable (daily headaches) for the first few weeks of practice until you got the pads in the helmet broke in. I never remember seeing helmets come off of players during plays (High school, college, or NFL) in those days either.

Could the simple answer to all of these concussions be to use a helmet that fits? Just food for thought on a slow day.

I think that is a huge reason, the helmets aren't fitted properly.

 

[Muhast]

The biggest problem is they made these revolution helmets and 90% of the players won't wear them.

Just make is mandatory that all players wear those and I suspect you will see a big decline in the amount of concussions. The safer helmets along with the NFL cracking down on helmet to helmet hits should be enough to decrease the problem.

 

[MapleLeaf]

It's well known that concussions are way up in the NFL. Many of the discussions revolve mostly about a new helmet design. I have a friend who is a retired football coach. We were discussing this issue recently, and he brought up an interesting point that I had not previously considered.

He told me that he believes that players (both nfl and college) are using helmets that are too big for their heads. He stated that anytime you see a player pick up a helmet by the face mask and put that helmet on his head without having to use too hands, that helmet is too large.

I played football back in the 80's, and I always remember having to use both hands to pull the helmet down on my head. I also remember basically being miserable (daily headaches) for the first few weeks of practice until you got the pads in the helmet broke in. I never remember seeing helmets come off of players during plays (High school, college, or NFL) in those days either.

Could the simple answer to all of these concussions be to use a helmet that fits? Just food for thought on a slow day.

...being a coach with an interest in equipment here are my thoughts.

Your helmet nowadays doesn't have to pulled on so tight that it causes you headaches. So many of the manufacturers have gone to air bladder systems that tis issue has gone by the wayside.

The biggest problem most youth programs have is they do not spend enough money on the equipment. There are (3) major manufacturers: Adams, Schutt and Riddell and they all carry multiple lines.

If you have a square head there is a manufacturer and a helmet for you. If you have a pointy head same thing. If you have a narrow chin, there's a chin strap for you.

What it comes down to is having your helmet and chinstrap fitted properly for you. More often than not this is accomplished best by the program having multiple helmet lines and a strong equipment budget.

Ex. Minor football program I coach in has (175) helmets for about (60) players. We carry about (200) chin straps, hundreds of helmet insert pads and around 300 air bladders.

We modeled this program after getting advice from (2) different NFL teams. Our program is not cheap. As an eleven year old it will cost you about $500.00 U.S. to play a (2) month season, but our program model is based on great equipment to keep kids safe.

The NFL has this at their disposal and its up to the players to take advantage of it.

Most don't because they want the most comfort and the least amount of obtrusion. There is ego factor here also.

That why Romo a older style Riddell and Manning wears one of the latest Schutt helmets.

If you look inside many NFL players helmets you will see a lot of pads altered or just missing.

With the new helmets you can still put the helmet on with one hand, then have it pumped up with air for a comfortable, snug, but headache free fit.

Don't kid yourself it is done successfully everyday in youth football because the industry couldn't afford to have kids with their helmets flying off without ending up in litigation.

Good fit is a step towards being concussion free. Hitting without your helmet is another one.

If you have concussion problems I suggest giving this a try.

http://www.xenith.com/

We have a few of these on hand for players who have had problems in the past, but are now medically cleared to play.

 

[MapleLeaf]

Im a High School Coach. We fit each kid individually with their helmets. Our big problem is kids keeping their helmets aired up. We use Riddell Revolutions. Kids dont realize how much air leaks out after a practice or game and fail to get them aired back up. They take a big hit without the air and it doesnt protect them like it should. This could also be a factor in helmets then becoming to small and falling off during a game.

When was the last time your school had the bladders in the helmets tested? When have last re-certified the helmets.

If you use the approved Riddell pump with the glycerin you should have no air leakage problems for the duration of a game. As per the manufacturers recommendations a bladder should be checked prior to beginning the day's activity in football. So basically check your bladders before each practice or game to make sure th air is in.

If the air drains out within one day I would suspect you need to check the manufacturers code for the helmet age or maybe its a defective/damaged bladder. Ask your local NFL/College team for a listing of the manufacturers codes because they would have most likely broken the code.

If you can't get them give me a PM and I can give you some of the codes for Riddell.

Either way the coaches shouldn't be struggling so much with filling air. Our experience. The bladder systems are great, but are prone to failure. Keep a careful eye on that.

 

[ETex]

I agree. I think the league should look at any equipment that can help of lessen the chance of a head injury but for the most part as you said the brain is like a yoke inside an egg the impact is taking place inside the skull so when a guys head is slammed to the turf his head is being protected but inside the brain will still be impacted

Im a High School Coach. We fit each kid individually with their helmets. Our big problem is kids keeping their helmets aired up. We use Riddell Revolutions. Kids dont realize how much air leaks out after a practice or game and fail to get them aired back up. They take a big hit without the air and it doesnt protect them like it should. This could also be a factor in helmets then becoming to small and falling off during a game.

It would seem the solution would be to reduce the g-forces the brain endures as the head comes to an abrupt stop. I assume that's the idea behind the revolution; air slows the head therefore allowing the brain to slow it's movement. Perhaps if there were more air/better technology, we could see a drastic reduction in these type injures. Most of the neck/spinal injures/scares Ive seen over the last season have been from someone taking a knee to the head or improper tackling. Rather than fine players for good hits, the league should concentrate on reteaching proper form tackling.