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Massachusetts lawmakers ponder forcing soccer players to wear helmets
Massachusetts lawmakers yesterday debated a law that would
require all soccer players from the peewee leagues on up to wear HELMETS. And you thought Americans were the
laughing stock of Europe before with their marblemouthed president and their capital punishment. Georgie Best may
have had a hair helmet, but can you imagine him
in a real one? What would David Beckham do? (probably get an Armani to design him a nice metrosexual one).
Seriously, it's like making water polo players wear shoulder pads.
To be fair, the proposed law would exempt pro players. But kids would be forced to wear helmets if they want to play soccer. Parents and legislators alike cite strong evidence of long-term neurological damage among a portion of veteran soccer players as proof kids need head protection. On-field collisions and "headers" are cited as the most dangerous aspects of soccer. "'There's pretty good evidence that growing brains are more susceptible to injury," said Dr. Lyle J. Micheli, director of sports medicine at Children's Hospital, Boston. ''It might make sense for kids under 14."
Needless to say, most young soccer players are not keen on the idea. ''I think it would just be kind of annoying," said Ben Bratt, 13, who plays for two soccer teams in his town.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
12-18-2005 @ 7:03PM
peter h said...Hope they also consider the risks of wearing a helmet - namely, it's likely to reduce peripheral vision and likely to make it harder to lose excess heat. Also, people are sometimes more reckless when they feel they are protected. On the other hand, brain damage it's so good...
Reply
12-18-2005 @ 7:03PM
Jason said...The soccer helmets aren't helmets in the tradition sense; the ones I've seen resemble the headgear worn by boxers, wrestlers and rugby players, essential padded headbands that wrap around the temple but leave the top of the head exposed. Here's a link for you soccer moms and dads:
http://www.teamsportsource.com/products.php?cat=44
Reply
12-18-2005 @ 7:03PM
dissenter said...this is by far the stupidest thing i have ever heard of.
obviously, none of these people, politicians, parents, or the physicians, must have grown up playing soccer (known as football in the rest of the civilised world).
u probably wouldnt 'head' a ball even 1% of the time. injuries most likely to occur during tackles, and actually running into someone at full speed.
i know! why not legislate full body pads, like those sumo wrestler costume. if we're going to make the wee ones a further laughing stock of the world, might as well go the whole hog...
i grew up playing 'soccer' as did everyone i know, and i apparently have not enough brain damage to be able to write this mail and share what a ludicrous idea this is...
Reply
1-09-2006 @ 3:43PM
Scott Saxon said...Soccer is a sport that is now played from a very young. As a former player and now a coach of girls U-8, I think there is no need for this headgear.
Most young children are afraid of the ball and have no desire to "head" the ball. When you watch professional soccer, there are very few instances of heading the soccerball.
As children mature their cranial bones also mature and are the densest bones in the body. Concussions are the major cause of concern. When the brain is forced against the skull with a violent manuever it can bleed. This is what causes a concussion. A padded headband will not stop the quick motion of the neck and head, thus not protecting the child from a concussion. Bike helmets and the like are actually made to absorb and diffuse the impact thereby protecting the brain, not so with a headand.
Mandating this device will only add expense and give everyone a false sense of security. If we want to protect our young brains, just don't allow heading until adolescents.
Reply