Proper Fitting Equipment
Helmets:
Helmets should be fitted by a knowledgeable person experienced in the process. During fitting, the player's hair should be at normal length and should be web, to best simulate the actual condition of the hair during play. Proper entering of the helmet is important. Players should be insturcted to (1) put thumbs in ear holes with the helmet tilted back, (2) roll helmet forward onto head. The front edge of the shell should rest approximately 3/4" above the eyebrow. The athlete's ear and the helmet ear hole should match up.
Checking the fit: The best fit resists motion of the helmet on the head. To test the fit, the jaw pads should be removed and the athlete shoould flex his neck, resisting efforts to rotate the helmet from side to side. If the skin on the forehead does not move with the helmet, the helmet is not snug enough. Also, the helmet should be rotated up and down to be shure that the front edge of the shell does not come down on the bridge of the nose and that the rear side of the shell does not impinge on the nape of the neck. Helmets should be comfortable but snug. Before a helmet is judged to be too tight, allow several days for the padding material between the head and the shell to adjust to the individual's head. Excessive tightness can be detected by examining the forehead after removing the helmet. If the helmet is too tight, the forehead will be white, due to poorblood circulation and will be deformed for a short time.
Jaw pads of proper thinckness will help minimize side-to-side rotation of the helmet. There should be no space between the jaw pads and the jaw and cheek. A four-point chin strap should always be used, with equal tension on all four attachments and no slack in the straps. The cup should be centered on the chin strap.
Shoulder Pads
The end of the pad should cover the end of hte shoulder (deltoid). The neck should have a 1/2" to 3/4" clearance on each side, allowing mobility and comfort, without allowing excessive sliding about the shoulder. The flaps should cover the deltoid area. One check of fit is to lift the deltoid cap and look for a gap. A gap is necessary, so the shoulder pad can properly disperse the force of a blow throughout the entire pad. The pectoralis pad should cover the entire pectoralis muscle. The back of the pad should cover the entire shoulder blade. The elastic axilla straps which hold the pads tight to the chest and back should be tight yet comfortable. The shoulder pads should be constantly inspected for cracks, frayed strings and straps, loose rivets and other possible failures.
Hip Pads
Hip pads are designed to protect the iliac crest, greater trichanter and coccyx. Coaches should watch for errors in hip pad use. For example, some athletes trim hip pads for comfort so the pads no longer cover the iliac crest. Others let them slide down, eliminating their protective effect. Athletes often fail to keep the girdle pad in place.
Thigh Pads, Knee Pads and Pants
Thigh and knee pads should be large enough to cover the respective areas. The pants are important in maintaining proper placement of the knee, thigh and snap-in pads. The pants should be tight enough to prevent thigh pads from sliding medially or laterally.
Elbow, Forearm, Wrist and Hand Pads
No hard fiber pads should be worn at or below the elbow. Custom-fitted pads are particularly valuable in this area.
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