How to Fit a Youth Football Helmet
All youth football coaches should know how to properly fit a youth football helmet, regardless of make or model. It is important that the helmet fit correctly because it is the most important piece of equipment for a football player, especially a young player.
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Things You'll Need
- Football helmet (includes chin strap and ear pads)
- Helmet manufacturer size chart
Instructions
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1
Have the child try on a helmet in his size. Choose the appropriate size according to the size of the youth's head. Each manufacturer will have sizing charts based on both hat size and head circumference. If you don't know the size of the child's head or his hat size, a simple trial-and-error method will work just fine.
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2
Have the youth place the helmet on his or her head by pulling the helmet down while pulling outward on the "ear holes." This will make it easier to get the helmet on while reducing stress on the ears. It is important to teach a young player this technique because he will do it many times while playing football. If the child is still having trouble getting the helmet on, most helmets have removable ear pads that can be snapped back in after the helmet is on.
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3
Try to move the helmet in a front-back and side-to-side motion. If the helmet moves too loosely it will not provide adequate protection and a smaller size should be tried. The helmet should not restrict forward vision and should rest an inch over the player's eyes.
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4
When the helmet fits snugly, ask the wearer if it is causing him any pain. If the answer is no, then you have a good fit. If the answer is yes, then you should go up to the next size. Do not ask if the helmet is tight because it is supposed to be tight, just not uncomfortably so.
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5
Check the snap-in ear pads to make sure they are not too large or too small. The padding should touch or be less than a finger's width from the cheek/jaw. This helps to restrict the movement of the helmet, which ensures proper protection.
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6
The final piece is the chin strap, all of which are adjustable. Simply adjust the strap so that it fits snugly over the chin of the wearer.
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Repeat steps 3 and 4 to make sure the absolute best fit has been achieved. If the youth complains of headaches at any point during the season, then the helmet should be checked because the child's head size might have increased.
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Tips & Warnings
It is extremely important to ensure the proper fitting of a football helmet. The helmet is the single most important piece of protective equipment a player wears and should be checked and double-checked. Improperly sized helmets can lead to serious injuries.
