Guardian Cap

StlCards · #1 (**permalink**) Sat Oct 06, 2012, 08:44am

Had a game last night with a kid wearing guardian cap over his helmet. Wasn't sure if it was legal, but I couldn't think of a reason to not let him wear it. He said it was supposed to help with concussions. I wasn't sure if he was recovering from a concussion, or had a mother who wanted him to wear it. What do you guys think?

JugglingReferee · #2 (**permalink**) Sat Oct 06, 2012, 08:58am

I would want to know how the helmet manufacturer believes this device would impact the effectiveness of the helmet.

I can't see how the helmet would be less effective though.

StlCards · #3 (**permalink**) Sat Oct 06, 2012, 09:06am

the only rule I could really find was this.

ART. 1 . . . Mandatory equipment. Each player shall participate while wearing the following pieces of properly fitted equipment, which shall be professionally manufactured and not altered to decrease protection:

a. Helmet and Facemask:

1. A helmet and face mask which met the NOCSAE test standard at the time of manufacture. The face mask shall have a surface covered with resilient material designed to prevent chipping, burrs or abrasiveness and be properly secured to the helmet as designed by the manufacturer.

2. The helmet shall be secured by a properly fastened chin strap with at least four attachment points.

NOTE: All players shall wear helmets that carry a warning label regarding the risk of injury and a manufacturer's or reconditioner's certification indicating satisfaction of NOCSAE test standards. All such reconditioned helmets shall show recertification to indicate satisfaction with the NOCSAE test standard. The coach's pregame verification to the referee and umpire that all players are properly equipped in compliance with the rules includes the exterior warning label.

Doesn't really seem to violate this. I would consider it an alteration to the helmet, but I don't think it would decrease protection.

Dakota · #4 (**permalink**) Sat Oct 06, 2012, 10:00am

NFHS Letter

Forksref · #5 (**permalink**) Mon Oct 08, 2012, 12:14am

I am not sure this would make it safer. Hard, round helmets cause most of the force to be deflected and not absorbed. The absorbtion takes place inside the helmet. Ohio State, back in the early 60's, had a helmet with a soft pad on the outside which ran down the middle from front to back. I asked a college trainer what he thought about it and he thought it absorbed the force rather than deflected it. Those helmets didn't last long.