Protective Padding Outside the Helmet

[BrokenBowTim]

What the hell is going on with all the players wearing an extra layer of protective padding on the outside of their helmets? Does this only happen during Spring Practice? I don't see it in practice during the season. If it's so important, why don't they wear it all the time during games? Does anyone know what this is all about? Sheesh. They already have the same thing inside the helmets. I don't understand. It seems like overkill.

 

[Cornhuskers7]

What the hell is going on with all the players wearing an extra layer of protective padding on the outside of their helmets? Does this only happen during Spring Practice? I don't see it in practice during the season. If it's so important, why don't they wear it all the time during games? Does anyone know what this is all about? Sheesh. They already have the same thing inside the helmets. I don't understand. It seems like overkill.

Guardian Caps: Are the soft-shelled football helmet covers effective at limiting head injuries?

Wearing protective shells over helmets are becoming more popular as a means of possibly limiting head injuries in football -- but are they actually effective?

www.espn.com

They've been proven to help drive down the number of concussions, as they reduce impacts of hits. As to why they don't wear them in-season, I'm not sure. Potentially to get used to the types of impacts they'll have during games?

 

[Bigger Ed]

What the hell is going on with all the players wearing an extra layer of protective padding on the outside of their helmets? Does this only happen during Spring Practice? I don't see it in practice during the season. If it's so important, why don't they wear it all the time during games? Does anyone know what this is all about? Sheesh. They already have the same thing inside the helmets. I don't understand. It seems like overkill.

I was thinking the same thing. If they're effective in reducing head injuries, why aren't they used all season long?

 

[1standten]

 

[wcbsas]

What the hell is going on with all the players wearing an extra layer of protective padding on the outside of their helmets? Does this only happen during Spring Practice? I don't see it in practice during the season. If it's so important, why don't they wear it all the time during games? Does anyone know what this is all about? Sheesh. They already have the same thing inside the helmets. I don't understand. It seems like overkill.

This has been standard practice in spring and fall practices. Pretty typical nowadays.

 

[Uncle Buck]

 

[Cornjob]

 

[Nostradumbass]

I’m not sure how outside padding on a helmet helps your brain from sloshing around inside your skull but I bet it cuts down on the number of broken fingers and other injuries/punishment delivered to the defender

 

[anotherdumbprediction]

, why aren't they used all season long?

They don’t come in chrome.

 

[Elwood von Kiowa]

It works like a crumple zone in a car. Slows down deceleration of the head (and thus lessens the impact on the brain).

Which begs the question, why have the hard shell in the first place?

The problem is, they're making the helmets bigger (in an attempt to provide more cushion) and making shoulder pads smaller (because Nike, apparently). Which is making it so that head-to-head contact is almost inevitable. They need to go back to the huge shoulder pads and actually use them for tackling. That would reduce head injuries.

 

[HuskrNew]

It works like a crumple zone in a car. Slows down deceleration of the head (and thus lessens the impact on the brain).

Which begs the question, why have the hard shell in the first place?

The problem is, they're making the helmets bigger (in an attempt to provide more cushion) and making shoulder pads smaller (because Nike, apparently). Which is making it so that head-to-head contact is almost inevitable. They need to go back to the huge shoulder pads and actually use them for tackling. That would reduce head injuries.

The idea of going back to larger shoulder pads is very interesting.

 

[Hooked on Huskers]

View attachment 105933

@DuckTownHusker

 

[Hooked on Huskers]

View attachment 105933

targeting penalty

 

[Hooked on Huskers]

Aussie rules. Forehead protection

 

[Cornhuskers7]

It works like a crumple zone in a car. Slows down deceleration of the head (and thus lessens the impact on the brain).

Which begs the question, why have the hard shell in the first place?

The problem is, they're making the helmets bigger (in an attempt to provide more cushion) and making shoulder pads smaller (because Nike, apparently). Which is making it so that head-to-head contact is almost inevitable. They need to go back to the huge shoulder pads and actually use them for tackling. That would reduce head injuries.

Need to go back to the leather helmets too

But in all seriousness, you aren't wrong. It isn't that concussions didn't happen way back when, but players are using their bodies as a weapon. I remember playing tackle football in the yard as a kid. You know one thing that we never had happen, head to head contact. When you put the helmet on, people suddenly feel like they can use it as a battering ram. With all the rule changes around tackling, concussions, safety, etc., I wouldn't be surprised if we eventually move to flag football.

Not saying if that is a good or a bad thing, just saying that is the direction things are moving.