Football Safety Part Two: What is Football Personal Protection Equipment

Part two of our football blog series will dive into personal protection equipment.  We have compiled a list of protective equipment for football players as well as the part of the body it protects, injuries it may prevent, common brands to look for, and the proper fit for the equipment.  Remember, the key to proper fit for you player is to actually take the player with you and try on the equipment.

1. Helmet
• Protection:  Head, brain, neck, and spine
• Prevention:  Concussions, neck, and spinal cord injury  
• Brands:  Xenith, Schutt, All Star, Adams, Rawlings, Riddell      
• Fit:  Football helmet fit is crucial and must fit properly to avoid serious or fatal injury.
          *see our how to video on properly fitting youth football helmets.
2. Neck Rolls
• Protection:  Neck and spine 
• Prevention:  Spinal cord injury 
• Brands:  McDavid (Cowboy Collar), Schutt, and Adams     
• Fit:  Allow one of our football specialist to assist you with fitting neck rolls on your player 
3. Mouth Guards
• Protection:  Teeth, tongue, and jaw
• Prevention:  Tooth, tongue injury and jaw concussion                
• Brands:  Sock Doctor, Adams, Tap Out, and Under Armour
• Fit:  Mouth guards will vary in price and composition.  Fit will vary.
4. Rib and Back Protection
• Protection:  Ribs and Spine
• Prevention:  Rib fractures and spinal cord injury
• Brands:  Nike Pro Combat, McDavid Hexalite, and All Star
• Fit:  Rib protection equipment should fit snugly against the ribs and stay in position.   Back protection can be independent of the shoulder pads or connected to the should pads.  Both types attempt to provide protection from direct impact to the spine. 
5. Shoulder Pads
• Protection:  Direct impact to the shoulders, chest, and upper back
• Prevention:  Fractures, separated shoulders, and spinal cord injury
• Brands:  Schutt, Adams, and All Star
• Fit:  Shoulder pads should fit snugly about the chest and shoulders while still offering the player mobility.
6. Arm and Elbow Pads
• Protection:  Hands, forearms, and elbows
• Prevention:  Contusions and fractures to the hands, forearms, and elbows
• Brands:  Nike, McDavid, and Adams
7. Pant Pads
• Protection:  Spine, pelvis, legs, and  knees
• Prevention:  The seven pads that make up the "pant pads" have similar duties. 
  

  The tail or spine pad is designed to prevent injury to the tailbone.  The hip pads protect damage to the pelvis.  The thigh pads offer protection to the muscles and bones in the upper leg or femur.  Last but certainly not least are the knee pads that protect the most frequently injured part of the body.
• Brands:  Schutt, Adams, and All Star
8. Cleats
• Protection:  Ankles and feet
• Prevention:  Protects the ankle against rolling preventing ankle sprain and fracture.
• Brands:  Nike, Rawlings, and Under Armour
• Fit:  Mid cleats are designed for athletes that have a history of ankle injury.  Low cleats offer more mobility.  The cleat should fit the player properly and not be too big or too tight.

Don't allow the multitude of accessories, brands, and variations overwhelm you on your quest to outfit your player.  Almega Sports has you covered and has trained staff members to help you properly fit your player for the field.  We have the brands, equipment, and accessories you want at prices that will keep your budget in bounds.