New helmet rule

[3TrueFans]

Hadn't thought about the fit issue, but that makes sense. Loose helmet would seem to be more likely to come off. However, I would still think the straps would hold it on (unless it was way, way too big).

Being able to use a timeout to keep the player in makes good sense to me. Wonder why they didn't include that option in the rule. Does a helmet coming off on the last play of a quarter mean that the player can't start the first play of the next quarter?

They have to sit out for 1 down I believe, so I'd assume yes.

[cyclonegeek]

I agree the new rule is annoying, but last year it was ridiculous how many helmets were coming off every game because players didn't attach the chinstrap tight enough.

[istater7]

Hadn't thought about the fit issue, but that makes sense. Loose helmet would seem to be more likely to come off. However, I would still think the straps would hold it on (unless it was way, way too big).

Being able to use a timeout to keep the player in makes good sense to me. Wonder why they didn't include that option in the rule. Does a helmet coming off on the last play of a quarter mean that the player can't start the first play of the next quarter?

Nope, the player must sit out one play.

[jdoggivjc]

You must not have ever watched any games that Hiawatha Rutland played in. His helmet seemed to come off automatically every 2 or 3 plays. I've never seen a player lose their helmet more than him.

I honestly wonder if having a mane full of dreadlocks has something to do with it. It seems like most of the time the guys that lose their helmets seem to have flowing dreads.

[3TrueFans]

I honestly wonder if having a mane full of dreadlocks has something to do with it. It seems like most of the time the guys that lose their helmets seem to have flowing dreads.

Probably harder or maybe more uncomfortable to have a properly fitting helmet if you have a lot of hair like that.

[CoachKM]

Exactly.

CoachKM, are you really a coach? Can you explain what these guys are doing wrong, if anything, that allows their helmets to come off?

Really a coach....not FB though! Also not creative with my screen names. I do not know why a chin strapped helmet, properly fitted by a certified coach would ever come off your head.

[3TrueFans]

I never played any meaningful football, but shouldn't a helmet be snug fitting? I see players throw their helmets on and off like they're putting on a baseball cap, that doesn't seem right.

[kingcy]

With all the brain issues some players have later in life and lawsuits that can be filled at any time the NCAA and colleges need this rule to show they are trying to protect the players as best they can.

[kingcy]

I never played any meaningful football, but shouldn't a helmet be snug fitting? I see players throw their helmets on and off like they're putting on a baseball cap, that doesn't seem right.

Snug fitting helments are not comfortable to wear.

[3TrueFans]

Snug fitting helments are not comfortable to wear.

Not as convenient also I assume.

[Clonehomer]

Snug fitting helments are not comfortable to wear.

Hence why we have this rule. Headgear isn't comfortable in wrestling, but there is a reason it is there in high school and college competition.

[cyinne]

Hadn't thought about the fit issue, but that makes sense. Loose helmet would seem to be more likely to come off. However, I would still think the straps would hold it on (unless it was way, way too big).

Being able to use a timeout to keep the player in makes good sense to me. Wonder why they didn't include that option in the rule. Does a helmet coming off on the last play of a quarter mean that the player can't start the first play of the next quarter?

Equipment managers need to start forcing players to correctly fit helmets. It seems that players have gone to looser fitting helmets due to comfort. This rule will cause them to rethink that. I would like the rule to change that a team can call a timeout and let that player come back in.

There were quite a few times in the ISU game alone that I noticed players playing with one of their bottom chinstrap straps undone. Apparently it's the cool thing to do these days. Buckle your chinstrap all the way. It's on your helmet to keep your helmet on your head. No reason for a helmet that is fully buckled and fit properly to come off under any "normal contact" circumstances.

I would think it's aimed at encouraging players to make extra sure their helmets fit correctly and are fastened correctly.

You guys are bat **** crazy if you think that the equipment guy just gives them a helmet and says "here you go, and good luck!"

Equipment guys spend countless amounts of time fitting and re-fitting helmets. It is their job to be very thorough when fitting equipment, especially helmets and shoulder pads. With my experence with helmets is that they are much safer than they have been in the past with the new technologies inside them, but with these improved technologies I believe there is a catch 22 where the helmet is more prone to come off unexpectedly. Also- having you chinstrap undone is not a fad or is cool. They come undone sometimes and the player is unaware that it is undone. Everyone is just more aware of it because of the emphasis that has been put on it this season so far.

[clone2011]

You guys are bat **** crazy if you think that the equipment guy just gives them a helmet and says "here you go, and good luck!"

Equipment guys spend countless amounts of time fitting and re-fitting helmets. It is their job to be very thorough when fitting equipment, especially helmets and shoulder pads. With my experence with helmets is that they are much safer than they have been in the past with the new technologies inside them, but with these improved technologies I believe there is a catch 22 where the helmet is more prone to come off unexpectedly. Also- having you chinstrap undone is not a fad or is cool. They come undone sometimes and the player is unaware that it is undone. Everyone is just more aware of it because of the emphasis that has been put on it this season so far.

Worked in equipment for a while and I know how to fit a helmet. Never did I call out any equipment managers. A certified person fitting a helmet can give a player a great fitting helmet, and if the player doesn't buckle it up it can definitely come off.

Helmets lose a little air over time and if the player never says anything about it, it's not likely the equipment person will catch it unless it's very loose, especially with 120+ players to watch. They aren't re-fit every week. Players with a good fit -- and this isn't a rule, just an observation -- take off their helmet and have faint indentations in their hair or a red spot on their forehead in the shape of the interior pads. Some helmets do fit around dreadlocks better, or around heads with a more/less pronounced occipital or frontal bone.

I cringe when I watch high school and lower football games and see helmets rattling around, or hear of players personally shaving down pads inside of helmets because it was all that was left but was too small for them.

[istater7]

Worked in equipment for a while and I know how to fit a helmet. Never did I call out any equipment managers. A certified person fitting a helmet can give a player a great fitting helmet, and if the player doesn't buckle it up it can definitely come off.

Helmets lose a little air over time and if the player never says anything about it, it's not likely the equipment person will catch it unless it's very loose, especially with 120+ players to watch. They aren't re-fit every week. Players with a good fit -- and this isn't a rule, just an observation -- take off their helmet and have faint indentations in their hair or a red spot on their forehead in the shape of the interior pads. Some helmets do fit around dreadlocks better, or around heads with a more/less pronounced occipital or frontal bone.

I cringe when I watch high school and lower football games and see helmets rattling around, or hear of players personally shaving down pads inside of helmets because it was all that was left but was too small for them.

This is very true. Some helmets need are refilled nearly every week.

[cyinne]

Worked in equipment for a while and I know how to fit a helmet. Never did I call out any equipment managers. A certified person fitting a helmet can give a player a great fitting helmet, and if the player doesn't buckle it up it can definitely come off.

Helmets lose a little air over time and if the player never says anything about it, it's not likely the equipment person will catch it unless it's very loose, especially with 120+ players to watch. They aren't re-fit every week. Players with a good fit -- and this isn't a rule, just an observation -- take off their helmet and have faint indentations in their hair or a red spot on their forehead in the shape of the interior pads. Some helmets do fit around dreadlocks better, or around heads with a more/less pronounced occipital or frontal bone.

I cringe when I watch high school and lower football games and see helmets rattling around, or hear of players personally shaving down pads inside of helmets because it was all that was left but was too small for them.

The only problem with your statement that I quoted before is that the athletes are not going out and leaving their straps undone purposely. If I am not mistaken there are already rules in place about having your equipment (helmets/shoulder pads) buckled at all times.

No doubt that the helmet can loose some its "elasticity" and no doubt it is hard to keep track of 120+ athletes, but an equipment guy does know the 30-40 that will see the majority of playing time and focus in on those athletes and "try" to make sure that everything is correct.