10 replies to this topic

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

After a lot of thought we have decided to allow my son to play football this fall. He will be 9 and his wrestling coach (who is a fantastic coach of young kids, really gets what youth sports are about) asked if we would enroll him and he has been dying to play for a few years now.

The problem I am facing is that he leads with his head. This will get coached out of him, but I am worried that he will get concussions. I got a lot of concussions playing contact sports so if there are genetic traits to this he is likely to have problems.

So with that, the helmets they use for his team are pretty much standard issue. I would like to get him into an anti-concussive helmet and also get him an anti-concussive mouthguard. I have had a hard time finding good resources for discussing these (which kind of surprised me) so I am wondering:

a) If anyone has any good recommendations for anti-concussive helmets/mouthguards. I am more than happy to spend a few hundred dollars on this. It is worth it to me.
b) If anyone knows if I can actually buy a different helmet and how I go about getting it painted with the color/markings of his team. I know I coached a kid who did this a long time ago, but I think the school's equipment manager did the painting.

Thanks.

[RedOctober3829]

After a lot of thought we have decided to allow my son to play football this fall. He will be 9 and his wrestling coach (who is a fantastic coach of young kids, really gets what youth sports are about) asked if we would enroll him and he has been dying to play for a few years now.

The problem I am facing is that he leads with his head. This will get coached out of him, but I am worried that he will get concussions. I got a lot of concussions playing contact sports so if there are genetic traits to this he is likely to have problems.

So with that, the helmets they use for his team are pretty much standard issue. I would like to get him into an anti-concussive helmet and also get him an anti-concussive mouthguard. I have had a hard time finding good resources for discussing these (which kind of surprised me) so I am wondering:

a) If anyone has any good recommendations for anti-concussive helmets/mouthguards. I am more than happy to spend a few hundred dollars on this. It is worth it to me.
b) If anyone knows if I can actually buy a different helmet and how I go about getting it painted with the color/markings of his team. I know I coached a kid who did this a long time ago, but I think the school's equipment manager did the painting.

Thanks.

The best helmet on the market right now that prevents the most concussions is the Revolution Speed helmet made by Riddell.Riddell The most important thing is to get the helmet properly fitted for your son by a certified equipment manager or a sales rep from Riddell. You can not guess on a size nor can you ever accept something that doesn't fit or you risk injury. I'm pretty sure if you go through a Riddell sales rep he will get it painted whatever color you want it to. For mouthguards, try ones made by Shock Doctor. They make a ton of protective gear that is really useful.
Shock Doctor

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

The best helmet on the market right now that prevents the most concussions is the Revolution Speed helmet made by Riddell.Riddell The most important thing is to get the helmet properly fitted for your son by a certified equipment manager or a sales rep from Riddell. You can not guess on a size nor can you ever accept something that doesn't fit or you risk injury. I'm pretty sure if you go through a Riddell sales rep he will get it painted whatever color you want it to. For mouthguards, try ones made by Shock Doctor. They make a ton of protective gear that is really useful.
Shock Doctor

Thank you very much. I really appreciate this.

Would I find a Riddell sales rep anywhere Riddell products are sold or do they have proprietary locations?

This is fantastically helpful and I am very appreciative. This is really reassuring.

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

I have reached out to Riddell directly and will work with them on the issue, sorry to "ask you to google that for me."

Again, thank you very much.

[boogerpressley]

This might interest you Yammer.

http://www.nytimes.c...=1&ref=football

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

This might interest you Yammer.

http://www.nytimes.c...=1&ref=football

Thanks for that. I have read similar articles critical of those tests but I really can't figure out whether those who are criticizing are folks looking to sell their brand of helmets or folks who really know what is best for the heads of football players.

I realize that it isn't perfect, but the Riddell anti-concussives sure as heck look like they should do what they say they should. I also like the quick release facemask, that touches on another concern.

Given his size and given what he does well I have to think he will be on the lines, so I really want his head and neck protected for the repeated blows, which seems to be a big cause of brain injury in football.

Thank you both for the input, I am reading as much as I possibly can about this. My kid is a big enough tard as is, anything that could make him tardier is not good.

[boogerpressley]

I was a high school teacher and football coach here in Texas for 7 years so I understand your concerns. I think the main thing you need to do aside from equipping him in the safest gear is to make sure his coaches are teaching him right. In Texas, almost all Pop Warner coaches are required to go through a week long training with the High School coaches of that particular city or district. During that week, information regarding correct techniques, drills, and basic play packages are taught to those coaches. I realize that may not be the case in PA so that is something I would keep a close eye on. At 9 years old, concussions are more of an accident than the direct result of two players going bull style on each other. Knees to the head, head to the ground, getting popped in a pile, etc. You hit it right on the head in your first post. Make SURE he knows to keep his eyes on what he is hitting and his chin off his chest. This is going to be the best way to prevent him from getting his bell rang.

[RedOctober3829]

You also have to realize that no matter how much you do to prevent concussions is that they happen in football. If you are taught the proper way to play the game and have the safest equipment you are doing your due diligence. Just remember that he still might get one no matter how hard you try. I'm in the equipment management industry and see these things happen all the time.

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

I was a high school teacher and football coach here in Texas for 7 years so I understand your concerns. I think the main thing you need to do aside from equipping him in the safest gear is to make sure his coaches are teaching him right. In Texas, almost all Pop Warner coaches are required to go through a week long training with the High School coaches of that particular city or district. During that week, information regarding correct techniques, drills, and basic play packages are taught to those coaches. I realize that may not be the case in PA so that is something I would keep a close eye on. At 9 years old, concussions are more of an accident than the direct result of two players going bull style on each other. Knees to the head, head to the ground, getting popped in a pile, etc. You hit it right on the head in your first post. Make SURE he knows to keep his eyes on what he is hitting and his chin off his chest. This is going to be the best way to prevent him from getting his bell rang.

Thanks. Yes, all of the coaches he will be playing under have been certified by the state (I don't think it is a league requirement, but our guys have all done it). I must admit, I am not sure what that process is but apparently it is 3 weekends of time so I figure that it should be rigorous. In addition, the guy coaching the lines is his wrestling coach who won't let some yahoo dad come in and run drills, which is one of my worries (this happens in baseball a lot).

And I get that he will get his bell rung, I really do. I spent my fair share of time barfing after games. I am a little hyped up about it largely because when I read about concussion prevention I see how little regard the guys I played under had for that. I re-entered at least 3 games where I definitely had a concussion, including one where I barfed my head off. Quick drink of gatorade, tell coach that he has two fingers up and I am back in. I want to make sure that everything is done that can prevent him from getting spun up. He is a physical kid.


Thank you both again for all the advice.

[Jim Ed Rice in HOF]

My son's youth football program offers a free concussion baseline test (see details of our sports medicine program here). My guess is that if your son's program doesn't offer it, you can find one in your area pretty easily. Worth doing so that they've got a point of reference if he does get his bell rung.

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

My son's youth football program offers a free concussion baseline test (see details of our sports medicine program here). My guess is that if your son's program doesn't offer it, you can find one in your area pretty easily. Worth doing so that they've got a point of reference if he does get his bell rung.

That's excellent. Thank you very much.