Soccer helmets
After the injuries to Cech and Cudicini, I made a sarcastic remark that someone would make (yet another) call for the use of helmets in soccer.
OK, so the picture to the right is a little bit much. I’m sure we’re talking about Alecko Eskandarian-style headgear. What do you think? Is the soccer world ready for headgear?
12 comments
I don’t think it’s a matter of ready so much as players who feel they need the protection will choose to use it. But not everyone will. Look at the NHL. Anyone playing without a face shield is insane in my opinion, but many do. However a number use the protection to save their teeth and face.
Soccer is more subtle, but I expect we’ll see it gradually adopted but never required. I could be wrong though.
never required
Hope you’re right.
This year my daughter began playing soccer in middle school. What has alarmed and admittedly, impressed me, is how much heading goes on in teenagers games. Sometimes the ball is bounced from head to head over and over again before hitting the ground. These kids will use their heads on a ball that was kicked from 30 yards away flying at who knows what rate of speed. What many people don’t understand is that kids heads are still growing and because of this puts them at higher risk of concussion at least.
Kids are used to sitting in car seats, wearing bike helmets and protective gear for nearly every other sport, so why not soccer headgear. I think responsible parents need to step up and encourage their community to look into this further.
Laurie:
I’m just not convinced that it’s a big deal. I played from kindergarten through college and there are no signs of damage. I reckon my friends and family would say different but I feel just fine!
My junior high competitive soccer daughter just received her second soccer concussion in 4 years. Teams are getting less skill driven and more about the biggest brute on the field. Who can shove more? Depending on a ref to determine safe physical play is insane. My daughter will be wearing a helmet from now on and not because of headers. For us it is helmet or she doesn’t play. The game is changing and parents need to realize that what was is not now and be proactive.
My 14 yr old daughter just received her 1st concussion this past Sunday at a club game. Her coach & manager have purchased a helmet for her to wear, and while she is not too thrilled about the way it looks she is willing to wear it simply to prevent another injury as she still has the headache and doesnt want to go through this again. I agree w/Christine that soccer is a rough sport, my daughter is a sweeper and her nick name is The Hammer.
I’m 15 years old, i’ve been playing soccer for 11 years now. I play up four years, so i play against 19 year olds. In the past 6 months I have received 2 concussions. One time I was struck in the temple with the ball, passed out, and lost my memory of the six months before the accident. The next concussion i was struck in the front of my head/face with the back of another girls head, I broke my nose, fractured my skull, and got yet another concussion, for two days I didn’t know who i was or anything. The doctor said i was lucky i got any memory back. I have never gotten any other injuries from soccer believe it or not. If i would’ve been wearing a helmet, i wouldn’t have had to spend so much time in a hospital. Biggest regret of my life not wearing a helmet after the first concussion. Soccer can be a brutal sport, thats why i like it, and players need to protect themsleves more. It should be required but i doubt it ever will be. But it’s smart, i play defense and its all about taking people out and being aggressive. But it’s not worth your life or losing all your past memories.
YOU PEOPLE ARE ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. you make me sick. This country is becoming a freaking embarrassment.
dan your stupid
I agree.. Dan’s stupid.
Soccer rocks. Injuries are part of the game. Without pushing, shoving and kicking, we’d be playng golf. What’s the point of helmets, anyway? I guess those parents who take their kid to the ER just for a spairned wirst just gotta get a “Soccer Helmet” for their kid.
P.S Hope you enjoy you’re little bubble of protection, Weiny, err, Dan.
Ok. i’ve just read a few of these(i’m sooo smart). ifeel it depends on your league you’re playing in. If you’re playing againts people that are five years older than you and are really crazy(but awesome) you should think about the phsicality(is that a word?) you should think about a helmet. As it turns out, i’m one of the more rougher(but controlled) kids on the field in a U-14 age group. i have only exsperianced a minor concussion in skiing, and find that the helmet probly kept me out of the hospital. so, in conclusion, wear it if you need it.