Which football helmet visors are legal in different leagues. How do visors protect players’ eyes. What types of football visors are available for purchase. Why do players choose to wear visors during games.
The Evolution of Football Helmet Visors
Football helmet visors have been a part of the game since the 1980s, but recent rule changes have significantly impacted their use. The landscape of visor regulations has shifted, particularly concerning tinted options. Understanding these changes is crucial for players, coaches, and fans alike.
In the National Football League (NFL), players are permitted to wear dark tinted visors. However, the rules differ for college and high school levels, where dark tinted visors are strictly prohibited. This disparity in regulations across different levels of play highlights the evolving nature of football equipment standards.
It’s important to note that the final decision on visor usage ultimately rests with the referee and training staff. They have the discretion to determine whether a player can wear a visor during a game. This flexibility allows for case-by-case assessments based on specific circumstances and safety considerations.
The Safety Rationale Behind Visor Regulations
The primary reason for restricting dark tinted visors in lower levels of football is rooted in player safety, particularly concerning concussions and injuries. Medical staff often face challenges when dealing with unconscious players wearing heavily tinted visors. The ability to see through the visor is crucial for quick and accurate assessment of a player’s condition.
In emergency situations, every second counts. A clear line of sight to a player’s eyes can provide valuable information about their state of consciousness and potential injuries. Dark tinted visors can impede this vital visual access, potentially delaying critical medical intervention.
Balancing Safety and Player Preference
While safety is paramount, it’s also important to consider why players opt for visors in the first place. Many athletes choose to wear visors for various reasons, including:
- Protection from physical harm to the eyes (e.g., pokes, scratches, or gouges)
- Shielding eyes sensitive to light
- Enhancing the overall style and appearance of the helmet
These factors contribute to the ongoing discussion about finding the right balance between safety regulations and player preferences in football equipment design.
Types of Football Visors Available Today
Despite the restrictions on dark tinted visors, players still have several options when it comes to choosing a football visor. Let’s explore some of the most popular types available in the market:
Smoke Grey Visors
Smoke grey visors offer a compromise between style and legality. While not as dark as the all-black tints that have been phased out, these visors still provide some protection against bright lights for players with sensitive eyes. Brands like Oakley, Under Armour, and EliteTek produce smoke grey visors that comply with current regulations.
Polarized and Mirror Visors
Polarized visors have gained popularity among players looking to reduce glare from sunlight or stadium lights. Similar to sunglasses worn by baseball players or golfers, these visors help improve visibility in bright conditions. Some polarized visors feature a mirror finish, often in colors that match team uniforms, adding a stylish element to their functional purpose.
Team Color Visors
As football equipment continues to evolve, manufacturers have introduced visors tinted in team colors. These visors allow players to showcase their team spirit while still adhering to visibility requirements. Blue and green tints have become particularly popular options in this category.
Customized Visors with Words or Images
For players looking to make a personal statement, some companies offer customized visors featuring words or images. While these are typically only allowed in All-Star games or practice sessions, they represent an innovative trend in football equipment personalization.
Benefits of Wearing Football Visors
Understanding the advantages of wearing a football visor can help players make informed decisions about their equipment choices. Here are some key benefits:
Enhanced Eye Protection
How do visors protect players’ eyes during a game? Visors act as a physical barrier, shielding the eyes from potential harm. In the chaotic environment of a football game, where fingers, dirt, and debris can easily enter the face mask, a visor provides an extra layer of protection. This is particularly valuable in situations like being at the bottom of a pile, where accidental eye pokes are more likely to occur.
Light Sensitivity Management
For players with light-sensitive eyes, visors can significantly improve comfort and performance on the field. By reducing glare and filtering bright light, visors help these athletes maintain optimal vision throughout the game, whether playing under the sun or bright stadium lights.
Prevention of Eye Injuries
Beyond protecting against accidental pokes, visors can help prevent more serious eye injuries. They provide a barrier against flying objects, such as small pieces of turf or unexpected debris, that could potentially cause damage to a player’s eyes.
Psychological Edge
While not a physical benefit, many players report feeling more confident when wearing a visor. The sleek appearance and added mystique can contribute to a player’s mental game, potentially giving them a psychological edge over their opponents.
Choosing the Right Football Visor
With various options available, selecting the appropriate football visor requires careful consideration. Here are some factors to keep in mind when making your choice:
League Regulations
First and foremost, ensure that the visor you’re considering complies with the rules of your specific league or level of play. As mentioned earlier, regulations can vary significantly between professional, college, and high school football.
Visibility and Tint
Consider the level of tint that best suits your needs while still meeting league requirements. Remember that while darker tints may offer more glare protection, they might also impair your vision in certain lighting conditions.
Material and Durability
Look for visors made from high-quality, impact-resistant materials. Polycarbonate is a popular choice due to its strength and clarity. Some visors also come with anti-fog and scratch-resistant coatings, which can enhance their longevity and performance.
Compatibility with Your Helmet
Ensure that the visor you choose is compatible with your specific helmet model. Many visors are designed to be universal, but it’s always best to double-check before making a purchase.
Ease of Installation
Consider how easy it is to attach and remove the visor. Some models come with clip systems or other user-friendly installation methods that can save you time and hassle.
Top Legal Football Visors on the Market
For players looking to purchase a legal football visor, several options stand out in terms of quality, compliance, and user satisfaction. Here are two highly recommended choices:
EliteTek Clear Football Shield
The EliteTek Clear Football Shield is a versatile option that offers several key features:
- Universal fit with a 2-clip system for easy attachment and removal
- Suitable for both youth and adult helmets
- Anti-fog and scratch-resistant coating for improved durability and clarity
- Impact-resistant polycarbonate material that blocks harmful UV and blue light
- Approved for use in youth, high school, and college games
- Backed by a 100% money-back guarantee
This visor stands out for its combination of safety features, ease of use, and broad approval across different levels of play.
Unique Sports Clear View Football Helmet Eye Shield
Another excellent option is the Unique Sports Clear View Football Helmet Eye Shield. While specific details weren’t provided in the original text, this visor is likely to offer similar benefits to the EliteTek model, such as:
- Clear, unobstructed view for optimal visibility during play
- Compatibility with a wide range of helmet sizes and styles
- Durable construction to withstand the rigors of football play
- Compliance with regulations for various levels of competition
When considering these or other visor options, it’s crucial to verify their compliance with your specific league’s rules and to consult with your coach or equipment manager before making a final decision.
The Future of Football Helmet Visors
As technology continues to advance and our understanding of player safety evolves, what might the future hold for football helmet visors? Several trends and possibilities are worth considering:
Smart Visors
Could we see the development of “smart” visors that adapt to changing light conditions? Imagine a visor that could automatically adjust its tint based on the ambient light, providing optimal visibility for players in various environments without compromising safety regulations.
Enhanced Communication Systems
Future visors might incorporate heads-up display technology, allowing players to receive visual cues or play information directly on their visor. This could revolutionize on-field communication and strategy implementation.
Improved Impact Protection
As materials science advances, we may see the development of visors that not only protect against debris and light but also contribute to overall impact protection. These visors could work in tandem with helmet design to reduce the risk of concussions and other head injuries.
Customizable Opacity
Advancements in electrochromic materials could lead to visors with adjustable opacity. This would allow players to customize their visor’s tint level within league-approved limits, potentially with the ability to change settings between plays or quarters.
As football equipment continues to evolve, the balance between player preference, performance enhancement, and safety will remain a crucial consideration. The future of football helmet visors is likely to be shaped by ongoing research, technological innovations, and the ever-changing landscape of sports regulations.
Which Helmet Visors Are Illegal In Football? – Get Hyped Sports
Football visors have been around since the 1980s, but recent rules made completely tinted visors illegal. In the NFL, players can wear dark tinted visors. In college and high school, dark tinted visors are illegal.
All visors are at the referee and training staff’s discretion whether or not they can be worn. The reasoning behind now allowing a dark tinted visor is mainly for concussions and injury reasons.
For unconscious players, the training staff will need to see through the tint of the visor. Medical staff had a tough time looking through the visor, never mind looking under the visor.
However, certain visors are legal. In this article, we’re going to show you what visors are illegal in football.
Why Do Football Players Use Visors?
Football players use visors for many reasons. These reasons are mainly for protective and injury prevention purposes.
- Protect eyes from any physical harm (poked, scratched, or gouged)
- Adds a protective layer for eyes that are sensitive to light
- Improve the style of the helmet
Protect Eyes From Any Physical Harm
Have you ever been at the bottom of a pile during a game, and the opponent reaches in your face mask? Ever lost a contact lens from getting poked in the eye?
Visors can help protect against these situations.
Most visors sold today are easy to attach to helmets. Typically plastic clips or zip ties can secure a visor from being knocked off or dislodged from a helmet.
Improve The Style Of The Helmet
As mentioned above – plain and simple, it looks cool! Knowing you’re the best running back on the team, with a tinted visor, and you’re all swagged out, boosts your confidence. If you’re a wide receiver and you’re torching a corner all game, and he can’t stop you… starting him down with a tinted visor adds to the effect.
See Our Complete List Of Helpful Football Articles Here
What Type Of Football Visors Are Available?
Smoke Grey Visors
All black tint has been ruled out of any high school and college play. Gone are the days of Willis McGahee and Ed Reed in college with the dark visors on the field.
The all-black visor look was not only intimidating, but it also helped players block out the bright lights if their eyes were sensitive to light.
Below is a visual reference of the smoke grey visor.
Companies like Oakley, Under Armour, and EliteTek have smoke grey visors that are legal and easy to assemble.
Polarized/Mirror Visors
Polarized visors are commonly used to reflect the sun or the bright lights – similar to how a baseball player or golfer would wear sunglasses.
Polarized/mirror face masks have become wildly popular over the years. Professional athletes (such as Le’Veon Bell) wear the polarized visor.
Oftentimes, the reflective tint will match the team’s primary or secondary colors. These face masks have a bright color reflective, reflecting both the sun and any other emitted lights.
Team Color Visors
Blue and green visors have also increased popularity in football. Players can now match their team colors to certain tints in the visor.
The rules still apply, as noted above, as players can wear certain tints based on their league rules and the referee’s discretion.
Words/Images On The Visors
One of the newest players in the visor game is 2G visors. These visors are slick. We had one custom-made for getting Hyped.
All you do is pick which style you want and send it to them. We used zip ties to lock it into place, and it was good to go.
As mentioned on their website, these visors are only legal for All-Star Games or practices. If your coach is cool with it, then I’d swag out in practice!
Legal Football Visors You Can Purchase
We dug through nearly a hundred different types of visors and compiled a list that was both easy to assemble, cost-worthy, and, more importantly, legal.
We do want to make a note; all visors are at the discretion of the referee. If he deems it illegal, it will have to be taken off.
EliteTek Clear Football Shield
- Universal Football Fit 2-clip system – fast easy attachment & removal
- Fits all kids & adults helmets. Application on Youth XS & S may be difficult but is possible.
- Anti-Fog & Scratch Resistant Coating: applied to ensure clarity and durability (No visor is 100% scratch-proof).
- Impact Resistant: Optical polycarbonate material blocks harmful UV/Blue light. Eliminates annoying glare, and controls light intensity.
- Approved For All Leagues: This clear visor is approved for all youth, HS, and College games.
- 100% Money Back Guarantee: EliteTek Visors are backed by 100% guarantee that you are fully satisfied with your product or receive your money back.
This is our number one pick for purchasing a football visor.
Unique Sports Clear View Football Helmet Eye Shield
- 3mm thick, distortion-free, polycarbonate lens.
- The lens is treated on both sides with anti-scratch and anti-fog coatings.
- The wrapped lens eliminates blind spots and glare.
- Wrapped lens for a precise fit – Made from shatterproof polycarbonate.
This is the most cost-effective visor on our list.
If you’re strapped for cash, this visor is for you.
Shoc Clear Football Visor
Shoc is often known for its colorful visors. Those are great for all-start games and practices. The visor we’re recommending is the clear version.
- COLORS: 14 different color options. Colors are very reflective and change with the light source
- MATERIALS: Shatterproof molded polycarbonate with anti-fog, anti-scratch, and hydrophobic coatings
- INCLUDED IN BOX: SHOC 1.0 Visor, black screw/t-nut clips, soft carry bag, SHOC Visor tab decal sticker set, lens cleaning cloth
- CERTIFICATIONS: Tinted colors are NOT approved for HS or college game use. Ask your coach if he allows tinted visors for practice or tournament before buying
- RESTOCK FEE: $10 Restock fee for all returned visors –
- CHECK WITH YOUR COACH/LEAGUE BEFORE ORDERING
This football visor has 14 different color options where you can customize the tint to your team. Again, we recommend you check with your league and officiating staff before making a purchase.
Under Armour Football Visor
- Features our exclusive lens made from a lightweight and strong Poly-carbonate lens material with anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings are added
- Features the universal fit and quick-release clips making it simple to use on virtually on any helmet without any tools
- Each visor comes with a tab with logo stickers in multiple team colors and numbers to match your team jersey
Under Armour is one of the premium names in football equipment. Their visors are no different, as they always deliver a great product.
Nike Gridiron Eye Shield
- Easy Assembly
- Fits Newer Helmets
- Helps To Protect Eyes
- Nike Decal Logos
Similar to Under Armour, Nike is the leader in football equipment. All of their products pass the style test and are reliable to last the entire season.
Conclusion
Football visors that are illegal are often the completely black ones. The black tint doesn’t allow training staff or referees to see through.
This creates a problem for trainers to see your eyes if an injury does occur.
We recommend you check with your coach and league officials before purchasing a dark-colored face shield.
Related Questions
What Are Football Visors Made Of?
Football visors are made of poly-carbonate plastic, which provides a clear and protective view for the player.
How Do I Clean My Football Visor?
Football visors should be cleaned with soap and warm water. Reapply the soap and water until it’s spotless. It’s important to check the clarity of the visor before it’s reapplied back to the helmet.
How Do I Install A Football Visor?
Football visors typically come with clips, which can be screwed on and off to securely lock in the face mask. Players who lose the clips may also use zip ties to fasten the visor into place.
Which one is your favorite? Is there a visor you’d recommend?
11 Top-Rated Youth Football Helmets and Accessories for 2021
Staff, Courtesy of VICIS
For parents of football athletes, back to school means buying a lot more than school supplies—and can be a huge expense.
Growing kids will likely need new equipment—helmets, visors, and mouthguards—and shopping for them can be a daunting task to navigate. But fear not, as we’ve done all the legwork to suss out top-rated options on the market for all these must-haves, no matter your budget. Read on for our recommendations, plus advice on the most important things to consider before shopping for each item.
What to Consider
It goes without saying that safety is the number-one consideration when shopping for contact sport protective equipment—especially football. No helmet can prevent a concussion but wearing one certainly diminishes risk of injury. The most important factors when shopping for a football helmet are fit, weight, and overall comfort. You’ll want to consult specific guidelines from the Center of Disease Control and look for helmets that meet certain standards for safety from the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (more on that below).
For visors (also called sunshields), most attach to helmets with clips—some better than others—and are listed as having a universal fit, but keep in mind that it may not hold true for all helmets brands or sizes, particularly those that are small or extra-small.
You’ll want a visor with anti-scratch and anti-glare coating, along with protection from UV rays.
Although mouthpieces target specific age groups, like 10 and under or 8 to 16 years old, shopping for one involves personal preference and it may take some trial and error to find the right one. That said, most require boiling or heating up in advance for first-time use, which helps to get a good fit off the bat, plus there are options for kids with braces and flavored mouthpieces for those who can’t stand the taste of rubber or silicone. There are also models that can be worn attached to helmets or worn strapless.
How We Chose
We consulted several top sources for our football helmet research, comparing rankings and studying standards and guidelines, to make our selection. The CDC offers guidelines for helmet safety and there are standards set by NOCSAE, though the organization has yet to develop youth football helmet standards. Virginia Tech is a highly respected source for helmet safety, and publishes yearly laboratory testing result reports for youth and varsity helmets.
The National Football League does the same for professional helmets.
Each visor and mouthguard we write about has ratings of 4 stars or more, and during our research we read through countless customer reviews to narrow down our choices. We offer options across multiple price points for every product category we feature below, and highlight the most notable features for each.
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1
Top Pick
Riddell Youth SpeedFlex Football Helmet
Riddell
dickssportinggoods.com
$349.99
The Speedflex is well-suited for young players—a great entry-level helmet for a reasonable price with an impressive lineup of features, plus a sharp-looking, streamline design.
One of its major highlights is comfort and stability, thanks to a five-inflation-point air fit liner for extra protection, along with a value lock to keep the liner close to the ABS plastic shell.
There’s also a quick-release stainless steel face mask that’s thinner than some other brands for better sight lines. Although it’s recommended for youth and junior high school players, the helmet weighs 4 pounds, which may feel too heavy for smaller athletes.
- Well-rounded features
- Thinner mask good for visibility
2
Under $200
Xenith Youth X2E+ Football Helmet
Xenith
dickssportinggoods.com
$199.99
The Xenith Youth X2E+ weighs slightly less than the Riddell Speedflex at 3.8 pounds and also offers top-notch features—plus a budget friendly price point. It’s one of brand’s most popular youth models, with a lightweight ABS plastic shell, two layers of padding for comfort and protection, and a custom-fit design with an ergonomic inner band that conforms to the head’s crown.
It’s also designed with a shock absorbing and suspension system to perform against a range of impacts.
- Value-added features
- Lighter weight than some other helmets
- Overall design is slightly bulky looking
3
Under $400
Xenith Shadow XR Youth
Xenith
dickssportinggoods.com
$369.99
This helmet, also from Xenith, features an energy-absorbing polymer shell and an innovative protective material that intelligently responds and adapts to points of impact.
Its geometric cellular structure provides cushioning for soft impact and strength for intense ones.
It also does a first-rate job of evenly distributing weight and pulling down on the chin strap gives you an even more of a custom fit. The only potential drawback is that unlike the Xenith Youth X2E+, the helmet weighs 4.5 pounds, so may not be appropriate for smaller players.
- Innovative technology for impacts
- Proprietary polymer shell
4
Under $500
Vicis Zero1 Youth Football Helmet
Vicis
dickssportinggoods.com
$495.99
Vicis makes several sought after football helmets for players of all ages, and this Zero1 consistently ranks high, featuring four layers of protection.
(Its price tag doesn’t deter buyers either, as the helmet can be tough to find in stock.) The helmet has a deformable outer shell made of soft thermoplastic and a second layer’s column construction moves in all directions upon impact to reduce rotational and linear forces.
A thin third layer ensures a proper fit and connects to the final layer of waterproof memory foam for comfort and weight distribution. Overall, it offers advanced technology and high marks across the board, though it does weigh 4 pounds, which may be too heavy for very young players.
- Consistently high-ranking performance
- Excellent design overall
5
Under $25
Barnett Clear Visor
Barnett sports
amazon.
com
$23.90
This clear eyeshield is fog- and scratch-resistant, plus it has an anti-glare UV coating to cut down on blue light to shield eyes on sunny days and under the lights at night games. It features a two-clip system that makes it easy to attach and remove from the helmet, with a universal fit for youth and adult helmets. The eyeshield is also approved by youth and high school leagues. It gets an average 4.6 stars from more than 1,300 customers.
- Great price for solid features
- Offers blue-light protection
- Some customers have issues with fit and attachment
6
Under $30
EliteTek Clear Vision Visor
EliteTek
amazon.
com
$24.25
All of EliteTek’s visors are constructed with durable 3mm-thick polycarbonate plastic to withstand impact, plus a UV coating to protect against the sun’s rays and significantly reduce glare. The clear eyeshield features a two-clip attachment system and is approved for youth, high school, and college games.
It’s also made in the U.S. and comes with a 100 percent money-back guarantee. Keep in mind that while it’s said to have a universal fit, it may be more difficult to attach to youth small and extra-small helmets.
- Thick and durable construction
- Comes with a 100 percent money-back guarantee
- Not as compatible with small and extra-small helmets
7
Under $50
Under Armour Youth Football Helmet Visor
Under Armour
amazon.
com
$49.95
This durable visor, made of strong but lightweight polycarbonate, receives high marks from customers, with an average 4.7 stars from more than $750 buyers.
It features anti-scratch coating like other visors to keep it looking new and extend longevity of performance, and quick-release clips for easy installation. But it’s an especially smart pick for players with sensitive eyes, with good anti-glare coating, plus protection from harmful UV rays and glare from blue lights at the stadium. It’s also approved by American Youth Football.
- Lightweight construction and easy-to-use clips
- Great for players sensitive to light intensity
8
Top Pick
Vettex Youth Football Mouthguard, Black
Designed for players ages 8 to 16 years—and for those who may easily lose equipment—this mouthguard is an excellent choice all around for quality and its price point.
There’s an adjustable strap that attaches to the helmet when they’re on the bench, and it’s also easy to slide out while still fully suited up with gloves.
The thermal rubber mouthguard offers great protection for players in positions with more impact and provides good airflow, but it isn’t as easy to speak with in comparison to some other options.
- Good protection for players who take more hits
- Handy attachment to helmet
- Harder to speak with while wearing
9
Best for Braces
Shock Doctor Double Braces Mouth Guard
Shock Doctor
amazon.
com
$21.99
Shock Doctor is a top brand for mouthguards, and while there are options on the market that tout compatibility with braces, this model is specifically made for kids who have them on upper and lower teeth.
The mouthguard provides maximum protection and comfort though no lip protection, and doesn’t need to be boiled in advance to get a good fit. They’re also lightweight and won’t break down if your athlete tends to chew on their mouthguard during play.
- Made specifically for upper and lower braces
- Superb fit and comfort
10
Best Flavored
Shock Doctor Gel Max Youth Mouth Guard
Here’s another mouthguard from Shock Doctor that’s ultra-popular, which comes in a host of fruit-flavored options.
There are also unflavored choices, which are just as worthy of attention, considering it’s incredibly well-constructed and protects teeth from all sides.
Another major highlight is the convertible rope to use with a strap or wear strapless, plus it only requires soaking in warm water (as opposed to boiling) for a first-time fit. Overall, it’s comfortable and easy to wear, though not as easy to clean.
- Can be worn with or without strap
- Easy to get a good fit
- Can be tough to clean in crevices
11
Best Value
Shock Doctor Airflow Mouth and Lip Guard (2 Pack)
Shock Doctor
walmart.com
$14.99
This mouthguard consistently ranks high for players of all ages, and it’s particularly well-suited for young athletes, as it comes sized for kids 10 and under. It’s made of soft silicone that’s comfortable to wear, with a low profile that easily slides in and out, plus it provides lip protection—a big plus that other mouthguards lack.
You can use it strapped or strapless, it’s latex-, BPA-, and phthalate-free, plus you can’t beat the price of this value two-pack. It also works for playing multiple positions. The only drawback—though likely not a dealbreaker—is that it doesn’t come with a protective case.
- Sizing specifically for kids 10 and under
- Superb price for top quality
- Appropriate for multiple position.
Rachel Klein
Rachel Klein
Rachel Klein has been a professional editor and writer for more than a decade, with a background in digital media, publishing, and journalism.
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Adidas Football Helmet Visor Eye Shield Protection Fits Most Helmets 252810
Adidas Football Helmet Visor Eye Shield Protection Fits Most Helmets 252810 – Sports Diamond
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Receive the highest level of protection on the field this season with the clear Adidas Football Shield Visor. High impact, molded shatterproof polycarbonate eye shield is optically correct. Provides extra-wide vision with zero distortion. Helps control light intensity and eliminates annoying glare. Eliminates harmful ultra-violet rays. Helps to reduce the risk of head or neck injuries caused by face mask grabbing. Shields eyes from dirt, mud, airborne particles and finger pokes.Improved clip-on system allows for easy attachment or removal of shield from face mask. Anti-fog and anti scratch coating. Fits metal and plastic face masks. AG Anti-Glare has a proprietary chromium nitrate flash coating, eliminating glare from the sun and light reflection during night games. Color: Clear. 252810
- High-impact, molded shatterproof polycarbonate eyeshield is optically correct. Includes directions & hardware
- Eliminates harmful ultraviolet rays; Anti-fog and anti-scratch coating
- Shields eyes from dirt, mud, airborne particles and finger pokes
- Improved clip-on system allows for easy attachment or removal of shield from face mask; Fits metal and plastic face masks
- Manufacturer Part Number: 252810
- 856097000962
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Football Helmet
The Football Helmet is a piece of protective equipment used mainly in net football. It consists of a hard plastic sheath with thick padding inside, a medical mask made of one or more plastic coated metal rods and a chin strap. Each position has a different type of face mask to balance protection and visibility, and some players add polycarbonate visors to their helmets, which are used to protect the eyes from glare and impact.Helmets are a requirement at all levels of organized football, with the exception of non-tackle options such as flag football. Despite being protective, players can and continue to receive head injuries such as concussions.
Football helmets have changed dramatically with the modernization of the sport to facilitate technological changes and improve the safety of the game. Despite the lower incidence of some injuries, serious head injuries are still common, and determining the consequences of these injuries is an active area of research.Aside from acute concerns about head injuries such as concussions, research has shown that players increase the risk of long-term problems such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). [1] Football helmets present a unique design challenge because, unlike bicycle helmets, which are thrown away after a single blow, football helmets have to withstand multiple impacts.
History
Turn-of-the-century football team
Invention
One of the earliest examples of soccer headgear dates from 1896 when College Lafayette midfielder George “Rose” Barclay began using straps and ear protectors.It is unknown who invented the football helmet. Many sources attribute the creation of the helmet to James Naismith, and other sources credit the US Naval Academy’s Midshipman Joseph M. Reeves (who later became the “father of carrier aircraft”), who had a mole skin head protector that allowed him to play in 1893 … Army – navy game. A naval doctor told Reeves that another blow to the head would result in “instant madness” or even death, so he instructed a shoemaker in Annapolis to make a leather helmet for him. [2] Later helmets were made of soft leather and resembled aviator helmets or modern ones. scrum caps. At least in professional football, they were optional. Few National Football League players, most notably Bill Hewitt Hall of Fame, have played without a helmet for most or most of their careers.
Early years
One of the innovations of the early 1900s was hardened leather. In 1917, for the first time, helmets were raised overhead to direct blows away from the crown. [ clarification required ] During this period, the earmolds also stopped working as they had little ventilation and players could not hear them. The 1920s marked the first widespread use of helmets in football. These helmets were made of leather and had padding on the inside, but it was inadequate and provided little protection. In addition, they lacked face masks. As a result, injuries were very common. Early helmets also absorbed a lot of heat, making them very uncomfortable to wear.
In 1939, the Riddell Company of Chicago, Illinois began manufacturing plastic helmets because they believed plastic helmets would be safer than leather ones. The plastic was found to be more effective because it retained its shape when fully impacted by the backlash. These helmets were also much more comfortable and had more padding to cushion the head on impact. A plastic face mask was included with the plastic helmet, which allowed the helmet to protect the entire head. By the mid-1940s, helmets were required in the NFL.They were still leather, but with improved manufacturing techniques they acquired a more familiar spherical shape. Initially, the NFL allowed the use of plastic or leather helmets, but in 1948 the league banned the use of plastic helmets, believing that using hard plastic could lead to injuries. The NFL lifted the ban on plastic helmets just a year later in 1949, and by 1950 the plastic helmet became universal in the league. [3]
Introduction of modern materials
By the 1950s, the advent of polymers ended the era of leather helmets.The last manufacturer of leather helmets, MacGregor, discontinued leather helmets in the mid-1960s. In 1955, the NFL also recommended face masks for players. [4] Reducing the number of broken noses and teeth, but also the need to introduce new rules that prohibit opposing players from grabbing a face mask. According to various accounts, either Pat Studstill or Garo Yepremyan was the last one to give up the mask; among the non-kickers, Tommy MacDonald was the last to do so.
Recent Developments
In 2002, a manufacturer of American football equipment. Riddell released a new helmet design called Revolution in response to concussion research. [5] In addition, Riddell recently introduced a redesigned Riddell Speed Flex helmet. This helmet came out in 2014. [6] This new helmet uses elements from the old Riddell, 360 and Revolution helmets, such as side impact protection and All Points Quick Release. [7]
Iowa St Riddell Speed Helmet
Demand for a safer Schutt Sports helmet to announce the next generation ION 4D helmet with integrated face protection. This new face shield design features shock-absorbing “energy wedges” that reduce the force of impacts on the face shield. College teams wearing the helmet include the Air Force, Penn State, and Virginia. [8] Schutt also distinguished between their school and youth helmets. Schutt’s versatile helmets are made from polycarbonate, which is a very tough polymer designed for big impacts.However, Schutt youth helmets; Made of ABS, a lighter material designed for children who cannot take hard shocks. [9]
A completely new type of helmet has recently entered the game. Vicis is a new company making helmets with a softer outer layer. The softer layer absorbs more energy from impacts. In addition, there is a foam inside the helmet that absorbs energy and increases comfort. [10]
Modern helmet components
Outer Shell
The outer shell of helmets has changed markedly throughout the history of the NFL.In the 1920s, football helmets had a soft leather outer surface, and today they have polycarbonate exteriors. The first die-cast polycarbonate helmet appeared in the NFL in 1986. [11] Today’s helmets typically have polycarbonate shells of the order of 3.35 mm. The hard outer shell protects the head from localized impacts by delocalizing the force, so the load can be taken up by other elements. [12]
Polycarbonates are ideal materials for outer casing because they are lightweight, durable and have good toughness even at extreme temperatures.Polycarbonates belong to the family of thermosetting polymers that are widely used in manufacturing due to their mechanical characteristics and ease of manufacture. [13]
The aesthetic design of the outer shell has become a central element of the teams’ form and image.
Energy absorbing elements
The performance of a football helmet is based on its ability to reduce the force of impact on the head. The helmet reduces the peak force transmitted to the head by temporarily accumulating or dissipating impact energy.
The primary energy-absorbing elements are the compression and shock absorbers, while the secondary elements are the comfort cushions. The materials from which these components are made and their sizes vary within the helmet. The design takes into account the player’s comfort and position, as well as the goal of protecting the most sensitive areas of the head and areas where strong impacts are most likely to occur. [14]
Because football helmets have to withstand multiple collisions, the materials of the helmet must return to their original shape after each impact. [15] For a helmet to be comfortable and practical without compromising energy absorption, padding materials must be of low density. Most football helmets are made of polyurethane or nitrile foam because they maintain peak strength under the recommended head load (1.5 MPa) without deformation, while being relatively lightweight and easy to manufacture. [16]
Engineering stress-strain diagram of a viscoelastic material. (A) – (B): elastic, (C) plateau, (D) – (E) seal
To understand why these polyurethane foams or nitriles are ideal for football helmets, it is useful to study the properties of these materials.All of these can be broadly classified as viscoelastic foams. When stress is applied to these types of materials, there are three main areas of deformation: linear elasticity, plateau, and compaction. In the linearly elastic region, the material is reversibly deformed in proportion to its modulus for juniors, or stiffness. In the plateau area, the foam begins to break down, and this is also a type of recoverable deformation. When the material reaches the area of compaction, it begins to constantly change its internal structure and cannot return to its original shape.Because football helmets are used many times, they needed to be designed so that stress remained in the elastic area or in the plateau area. The area under the curve on the stress-strain curve (shown in the figure to the right) represents the absorbed energy. The foam must be thoroughly filtered so that it absorbs energy without permanently sealing. [16]
In viscoelastic materials, the elastic region changes its shape depending on the deformation rate, that is, the rate at which the material deforms, or, more practically, the impact rate.In general, when a material deforms more quickly, it becomes stiffer and less deformed. The degree of protection afforded by a helmet depends on the impact speed, and the performance in the fastest and slowest impacts is poor. Air pockets, by absorbing some of the energy themselves, also help helmets perform better on impacts at very high and low speeds. Air chambers are ventilated so the volume and geometry of the air chambers are dynamic, which helps to reduce the viscoelastic effect.
Inside of the football helmet
The creator of the air pockets was Vin Ferrara, [17] former Harvard quarterback. Ferrara was looking for an aspirin one night when he saw a syringe bottle in his medicine cabinet. When he pumped it up and then punched it, he realized that the bottle can withstand blows of different forces. Ferrara came up with the idea of enclosing football helmets in multiple inflatable pockets to cushion the footballer’s blows and reduce concussions.
Foam in football helmets degrades over time, a process often ignored in safety modeling.Helmets have been reused for years, especially in youth teams, putting players at risk as they are less protected than expected. [18]
Visors
A more recent addition to the football helmet is a visor or eyecup that attaches to a medical mask to protect players from glare or eye injuries such as pricks. It is believed that the first player to use the sun visor was Mark Mallaney of the NFL Minnesota Vikings in 1984 to protect a healing eye injury.The leading manufacturers of visors are Nike, Oakley, Under Armor and SHOC, with Leader being the first to introduce a visor / shield for former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon (who needed a visor due to an eye injury during childhood). [ citation needed ] Although the Mullany and McMahon visors were tinted, most of the early visors were sheer or smoky, they are now offered in a variety of styles, from blue, gold, black, iridescent, silver, or amber. In the high school and pee leagues, everything is banned except for transparent visors.This rule has been put in place so that training personnel and coaches can easily see a player’s face and eyes in the event of a serious injury to determine if the player is conscious. [ citation needed ] The NCAA banned the use of tinted visors for the same reason, and the NFL followed suit. However, visually impaired players can obtain special permission to wear tinted visors. LaDainian Tomlinson and Chris Canty. [19] The XFL allows players to wear tinted and embellished visors. [20]
Players from the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs wear football helmets during a training exercise in 2004.
Sensors
Helmet impact data loggers and impact detectors track the impacts that the player receives, such as the force and direction of impact. If the force recorded by the sensors exceeds 100 Gs, this signals a possible concussion. [21] Some players will experience up to 2000 of these potential concussions each season. This data is then analyzed by doctors.
Several companies have recently released helmets with sensors that send alerts when a player may be seriously impacted. The goal is to be able to detect concussions as soon as they occur, so that players can receive immediate medical attention. [22]
Controversy surrounds the use of sensors in the NFL. While almost everyone agrees that the intent is laudable, there are concerns about the quality of the data and the confidentiality of personal health records.During the 2013 season, two unnamed NFL teams tested accelerometers, but their use was suspended after the trial. The league hopes to reintroduce sensors once privacy and data quality issues are resolved. [23]
However, sensors are already being used to improve game safety. Using the data he collected during the pilot study, Kevin Guskevich showed that the kickback is the most dangerous part of the game.His results were compelling enough to convince the NFL to move the starting line five yards forward to the 35 yard line with the intention of increasing feedback, a safer play. [23]
Headsets
Two Ohio inventors, John Campbell and George Sarles, invented a headset for Cleveland Brown coach Paul Brown to play on the radio with quarterback George Rutterman. It was banned shortly after its first use in 1956 (after the Browns played three pre-season radio games).The NFL approved the use of headphones for all NFL teams in 1994. [24]
NFL rules state that all helmets equipped with headphones must have a visible green dot on the back. Several times in 2006, a shot for a field goal was asked to pull up and shoot or run at the last second due to a change coaches saw on the field. According to the NFL, this gave the teams an “unfair advantage.” The new rules allow each team to know who wears the headphones and hears the game being assigned. [ quote needed ]
Face masks
Disposable face masks were once common, but have now been replaced in professional and recreational sports. For example, it has been illegal in the National Football League since 2004, but a grandfather clause allowed players who wore a mask prior to 2004 to continue doing so for the rest of their careers. None of the current professional players currently wear such a face mask; the last player to do so was Scott Player, who last played professionally in 2009.
Usually only by mid-1980s. Placekickers and professional football players in Canada and the United States have worn a single-bar face mask, with the exception of quarterback Joe Theismann.
One truss had two different variants. The standard single strap was made of nylon or other hard plastic and bolted to both sides of the helmet just in front of the ears. There was a snub-nosed version that didn’t go as far beyond the helmet as the standard one.
Today the masks for football helmets are multi-pole, with at least two strips. Multi-shaft face masks are usually made from a metal such as titanium, stainless steel, or typically carbon steel. Each face mask is powder coated with impact and corrosion resistant Polyarmor G17. Polyarmor is a thermoplastic coating used on many surfaces. While some organizations purchase new masks every season, others repair their equipment.
Normative legal acts
NOCSAE Certification
Current regulations for NFL, NCAA, and high school football require all helmets to be certified by the National Athletic Equipment Standards Working Committee. [25] [26] [27] The credibility of NOCSAE certification has been criticized for many reasons, including the organization’s oversight by equipment manufacturers, causing conflicts of interest, test data that focus on skull fractures rather than concussions the brain, and a failure to take into account new research. [25] [28] [29]
The most common NOCSAE test is the drop test (developed in 1973). This test uses a 13-pound dummy head full of gauges and gelatinous material. The head and helmet fall from a height of 60 to one of six helmet locations specified in the NOCSAE. These locations include the front, back, left, right, right, and left lugs. Sensors in the dummy’s head measure the force that the head is experiencing. NOCSAE has certain rules, for example, the peak severity index cannot exceed 1200 SI.If the helmet does not meet these requirements, it will not pass the NOCSAE drop test. [30] [31]
Ongoing research
Safety Study
In recent years, significant research has been carried out on head injuries in football, as well as on the design of football helmets. Kevin Guskevich, professor at the University of North Carolina and MacArthur Fellow, has researched concussions in football of all age groups for many years. [32] He fitted UNC football helmets with accelerometers to measure shock and shock.The NFL has also awarded more than $ 1.6 million in sports medical research, of which nearly $ 1 million went to concussion prevention. [33] All of this research on concussion prevention has led football helmet manufacturers to develop safer products. A collaborative effort, Virginia Institute of Technology and Wake Forest have been testing current football helmets and assigning them annual ratings since 2011. On a 5-star scale, only one helmet received a 5 in 2011.In 2012, two more helmet designs were awarded 5 stars. [34] [35]
Some researchers have found conflicting results that wearing helmets actually increases the likelihood of injury, and therefore recommend that players train without helmets from time to time. When hard shells first came out, head injuries actually increased because players had a false sense of security and started tackling more dangerous tackles.The University of New Hampshire is participating in a study in which some players trained twice a week without helmets. By the end of the season, those who trained twice a week without a helmet were heading 30% less. This research suggests that upgrading game best practices may have more benefits than improving the materials inside the helmet. [36]
Material Design
Vijay Gupta, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, has researched and produced a special polymer that, when added as a layer on the inside of football helmets, can reduce the overload that can be experienced player by 25%. [37] This reduction in forces will result in a similar decrease in the likelihood of concussion from the same strokes.
Efforts are also ongoing to improve the selection of energy-absorbing materials for football helmets. Some researchers use computational methods to sort through libraries of known materials. [15] Others are developing entirely new foams or layering existing foams to create a composite that absorbs energy better. [16]
Foam tends to be stiffer at lower temperatures.Researchers are currently looking for ways to minimize the effect of temperature on foam hardness to provide players with maximum protection in all weather conditions. [16]
Shock Simulation
Recent research has begun evaluating tests specifically used to create the safest football equipment. In 2015, Stanford’s David Camarillo conducted a study that found that football helmet tests did not account for the delay between brain movement causing injury and exposure to stress. [38]
Neuroscientists at Ohio State University fired airgun baseballs at football helmets to simulate a kick or blow to the head, such as a grab. The helmets were found to withstand 2,500 Newtons, or about 562 pounds of force.
The design parameters of football helmets have traditionally been based on linear acceleration models. This modality is easier to learn and is consistent with design parameters such as a cadaveric skull fracture.Current research is focusing on understanding the rotating force in football helmets and how to design more realistic, non-centrosymmetric forces. [39]
Logo display
In 1948, the Los Angeles Rams were the first NFL team to put a logo on their helmets; The main ram’s horn logo on the helmet has remained largely unchanged since then, with the exception of the color. For the 2019 NFL season, the Cleveland Browns are the only remaining NFL teams not to use any form of main logo on their helmets.The Pittsburgh Steelers are the only NFL team to display their logo on only one side of the helmet (the right side). At first it was a stopgap measure because the Steelers weren’t sure they would like the look of the logo on the all-gold helmet. They wanted to put them to the test before giving their best. Due to the interest generated by placing the logo on only one side of their helmets, as well as the new success of the team, the Steelers decided to keep the helmet that way forever. In the Cincinnati Bengals, after using the Bengals word mark for the helmet logo in the 1980 season, they have used the tiger stripe pattern instead of the logo since 1981. Post, Andrey; Oeur, Anna; Hoshizaki, Blaine; Gilchrist, Michael D. (2013). A Study of American Football Helmets Using Indicators of Brain Deformity Associated with Concussion. Materials and Design . 45 : 653-662. Doi: 10.1016 / j.matdes.2012.09.017. HDL: 10197/4608.
Sources
- Albergotti, Reed & Wang, Shirley S. “Isn’t it time to ditch the football helmet?” Wall Street Magazine (Nov. 11, 2009))
- Bhattacharjee, Alex. The History of the Slam Sports Illustrated for Kids (October 1996)
- Copeland, Michael W. “Crash Pad” Fortune International (8 Feb 2010) p. 8
- Schwartz, Alan. “Concussion – New Football Helmet Design” New York Times (October 27, 2007)
- Tucker, Andrew M. Head Injury Footballers Testimony of FDCH House Judge Before Congress (October 28, 2009)
- Zarda, Brett.Butting Heads Popular Science (September 2007)
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90,000 What is the purpose of a football helmet visor?
Football helmets are plastic devices that protect the head from injury while playing football. Players began wearing polycarbonate football helmet visors in the mid-1980s to protect themselves from further eye injuries while recovering from eye injuries. Visors have become more common as players now use them to reduce glare, prevent injury, and sometimes just look cool.
history
According to ESPN, Jim McMahon popularized the helmet visor in the late 1980s as a protector of the Chicago Bears. The Bears won the Super Bowl in 1985, so McMahon was highly visible as a defender. As the visors became popular, they evolved into crisp and toned versions, including shades of different colors.
function
The main purpose of visors is to prevent eye injury as their purpose.Players have coined the term “churning” to describe the grab that takes place within the heap. Sometimes players would insert their fingers into another player’s mask in an attempt to damage his eyes and prevent him from seeing correctly in the next game. Contact lens wearers had a hard time with this and sometimes lost contact on the field due to being blindfolded. Running backs wear visors because they often land on the bottom of the pile and therefore experience a significant amount of eye puffiness.
Other purposes
Football players often wear black eyes under their eyes to reduce glare from the sun.Players began using visors for the same purpose to improve their vision on the pitch. This led to the tinting of the visors. High school students saw their favorite NFL players wearing visors in their helmets and wanting to wear them too.
Disadvantages
Visors must be made of polycarbonate that meets American National Standard standards. These standards exist because it can create a dangerous situation if the visor is taken away. Some visors tended to fog up during games when players’ heads became warm.The visor trapped the hot air inside. When it rained, drops of water often remained on the visor and interfered with the wearer’s vision. It was also difficult for the players to look around the early picker.
Rule changes
When players suffered head injuries, sports coaches and doctors could not see the player’s eyes through tinted visors, which took away a diagnostic tool for consciousness. This led the NFL, NCAA, and most school associations to ban tinted visors.The NFL competition committee worried about the fairness of the eyes of the players, hidden from others on the field. Some players and their doctors believed that toning helped them if they had certain vision problems. Most football leagues allow a tinted visor if the player has a doctor’s prescription.
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