Headgear mandatory in a NY youth league

[MUTINYFAN]

This is ridiculous. Although I saw it coming. What is next co-ed soccer being mandatory up to the age of 18? I don't like it at all. I hope this does not become standard across the country. This is exactly why MLS needs to develop a reserve system.



http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpYjk0aWtjBF9TAzk1ODYzNTkwBHNlYwN0aA--?slug=ap-mandatoryheadguards&prov=ap&type=lgns

[kenntomasch]

THIS is exactly why? I can think of a bunch of reasons why, but some youth league in western NY making headgear mandatory wouldn't be near the top of my list.

What is next is no tackling until you get to college. Someone could get hurt.

[billf]

Well I don't know if this is something MLS reserve teams could help avoid because its only going to be a small number of players who'd actually play for such teams, many of which will end up playing in local leagues at u-14 and below anyway. Obviously, this is silly but there just isn't much to do about it now.

[ignatz]

What is next is no tackling until you get to college. Someone could get hurt.

There's a big difference between a head injury and a leg injury. My son was nearly killed playing youth soccer from a blow to the head (temple), requiring emergency brain surgery. The Full90 would in all likelihood protected him.

[billf]

There's a big difference between a head injury and a leg injury. My son was nearly killed playing youth soccer from a blow to the head (temple), requiring emergency brain surgery. The Full90 would in all likelihood protected him.

I don't know if you've ever seen one of these headguards, but I'm not confident that they would do much for a blow to the head. A kid could tip on his way to the bus stop in the morning and suffer a head injury too.

[kenntomasch]

We've had blows to the head in soccer (and every other sport) for years. It's very, very unfortunate, and it's probably also very rare.

What I object to is the manufacturers of these things preying on the fears of suburban soccer moms when, despite 100+ years of history, they actually believe there's some long-term damage to be done by heading a 16-ounce soccer ball.

[JoseP]

We've had blows to the head in soccer (and every other sport) for years. It's very, very unfortunate, and it's probably also very rare.

What I object to is the manufacturers of these things preying on the fears of suburban soccer moms when, despite 100+ years of history, they actually believe there's some long-term damage to be done by heading a 16-ounce soccer ball.

So you're saying that this is just a company trying to rip people off? They really aren't creating a product to help prevent head injuries?

[kenntomasch]

Call it what you will. I think they believe they're creating a product to help prevent head injuries. Where we disagree is on the severity of what can happen to you from heading a soccer ball. Head-on-head collisions, fine. But that's part of the game. Are we going to shoulder pads next?

This is the 21st century. Soccer has been played for over 100 years. I think these things are unnecessary, and I think the scared parents who don't think things through are helping fuel the hysteria that these things are so important that an entire league has to make them mandatory.

[1953 4-2-4]

Wow, a league of 35,000 players. I'm guessing the President or "person who made this happen" in the Assoc. is getting oh, about a 10% cut, so a nice chunk of change in someone's pocket--not to mention the company's coffers.

But the question I have, is CAN they do this? As I am assuming this association is part of USSF, can any State association just say, "we require all players to wear _____?" when said item is not part of the laws of the game or USSF's required uniform? If I am President of my State Association, and get my board to go along with it, can I make all girls teams play in Bikinis? Seriously. They're safer than cumbersome standard kits. Less of a chance for an opponent pulling jerseys that might cause a fall.

And for the boys, they each must play with a pillow strapped to their a$$es. It's safer if they fall...

[JoseP]

Wow, a league of 35,000 players. I'm guessing the President or "person who made this happen" in the Assoc. is getting oh, about a 10% cut, so a nice chunk of change in someone's pocket--not to mention the company's coffers.


I understand resentment to requiring head gear. But, so far I've heard
1.) this is why we need a reserve system
2.) this is a company purposefullt ripping people off
&
3.) people at top are being paid off.

A little over the top on some of the reactions here?

[smith07]

My optometrist tried to sell me a different brand of contact lenses. I beleive that this had something to do with what companies were paying him to push. It is not outside the realm of possibility that this president would have something to gain from making such a rule. The company is trying to make money off of the product. It is not like they are so concerned that they are giving them away

[Detective40oz]

haha we just added another thing for all the non soccer fans to bash....grrrreat :D First it was the short shorts and tall socks...now the padded headbands.

[Detective40oz]

My optometrist tried to sell me a different brand of contact lenses. I beleive that this had something to do with what companies were paying him to push. It is not outside the realm of possibility that this president would have something to gain from making such a rule. The company is trying to make money off of the product. It is not like they are so concerned that they are giving them away

of course, it's a very common business practice...why do you think McDonald's only sells Coca Cola products? Why do you think Adidas pays MLS $150 million to use their equipment?

[JoseP]

My optometrist tried to sell me a different brand of contact lenses. I beleive that this had something to do with what companies were paying him to push. It is not outside the realm of possibility that this president would have something to gain from making such a rule. The company is trying to make money off of the product. It is not like they are so concerned that they are giving them away

Yes, it could have been that the doc was just trying to make more cash. Or, perhaps, your optometrist, actually, thought that the new brand of contacts would be better for you.

[hoboken16]

This is ridiculous. Although I saw it coming. What is next co-ed soccer being mandatory up to the age of 18? I don't like it at all. I hope this does not become standard across the country. This is exactly why MLS needs to develop a reserve system.



http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpYjk0aWtjBF9TAzk1ODYzNTkwBHNlYwN0aA--?slug=ap-mandatoryheadguards&prov=ap&type=lgns

Headgear -> Coed Soccer -> MLS Reserve system
Ok I followed you on the first transition but what does a Reserve league have to do with it

[kenntomasch]

Lost me there, too.

I'm just not sold on the idea that this is a national epidemic.

[hoboken16]

Wow, a league of 35,000 players. I'm guessing the President or "person who made this happen" in the Assoc. is getting oh, about a 10% cut, so a nice chunk of change in someone's pocket--not to mention the company's coffers.

But the question I have, is CAN they do this? As I am assuming this association is part of USSF, can any State association just say, "we require all players to wear _____?" when said item is not part of the laws of the game or USSF's required uniform? If I am President of my State Association, and get my board to go along with it, can I make all girls teams play in Bikinis? Seriously. They're safer than cumbersome standard kits. Less of a chance for an opponent pulling jerseys that might cause a fall.

And for the boys, they each must play with a pillow strapped to their a$$es. It's safer if they fall...

They can within their association, does the laws of the game say they cannot wear head gear. Most associations while using FIFA as a base they make adjustments as they see fit. I think 14 and under is a bit much but I don't see a problem with the 7-8 years old wearing a little head gear

[ignatz]

I don't know if you've ever seen one of these headguards, but I'm not confident that they would do much for a blow to the head. A kid could tip on his way to the bus stop in the morning and suffer a head injury too.

Actually, with the clearance of the neurosurgeon, he's playing with one. It has padding at the temples, which would absorb some of the shock. Russ Paule of the Columbus Crew wears one. It isn't that big a deal.

As to injuries from heading, I believe there is some evidence supporting that theory. A number of "punch drunk" old footballers are out there, particularly in Europe. One positive theory I've heard is that they are primarily from the era of the leather ball which, as it soaked up water during the many games played on wet fields, became something like a brick. With the newer balls, made of non-absorbent material, that's no longer a problem.

There was also mention in one of the posts of shoulder injuries, suggesting shoulder pads would be next. Again, I'd disagree. Shoulder injuries are unlikely to be fatal or to cause long term disability of the kind a head injury can cause. Big difference.

[kenntomasch]

They can within their association, does the laws of the game say they cannot wear head gear. Most associations while using FIFA as a base they make adjustments as they see fit. I think 14 and under is a bit much but I don't see a problem with the 7-8 years old wearing a little head gear

Do you see 7-8 year olds using their heads? My daughter is playing U10 and I haven't seen a head ball yet, and my son was playing for two years before I saw someone use his head.

Just show me the confirmed stats on soccer-related head injuries before I start believing everybody has to go Alan Mayer all of a sudden.

[Paul Nasta]

The article does mention the possibility that, with headgear, players may feel safe to take more risks with their head. If use of this headguard becomes widespread, it may actually make soccer a more dangerous game, with more head on head contact than you now have.