How to Wear a Football Helmet Properly

Football players wear a lot of equipment while playing, but no piece is more important than the helmet. The helmet consists of a hard plastic shell, a face mask and inner pads. The helmet protects the player from head and face injuries that can occur during game play. The most important thing to learn is how to wear a football helmet properly. Following these guidelines ensures that your helmet is worn in a manner that provides the greatest safety benefit.

1. First: Know the correct measurements for the helmet

   Find out your head shape and size. Using helmet tape, measure the head's circumference. The head's size determines the shell size. Also, take note of any imperfections that may affect the fit of the helmet and adjust accordingly. When you take the eyebrow measurements, the eyebrows should sit right below the helmet's edge.

2. Second: Make sure the head is sufficiently covered

   The holes on the side of the helmet should center on the ears. Make sure that the back of the head is covered to protect the skull and the helmet does not cut into the back of the neck. The jaw pads should rest along the contour of the cheek. For optimum effectiveness, the face guard should lie two finger lengths away from the nose. The chinstrap should fit closely against the square of the chin.

3. Third: The helmet should move when the head moves

   The helmet should not move on its own. If it moves around, it is too big. If it seems to pop up from the head, then the helmet is too small. Before buying a new helmet, adjust it to see if it fits properly.