Soccer Helmets?

With all the talk about concussions and head injuries, could helmets for soccer players be far behind?

https://wtop.com/virginia/2018/05/v...-rankings-to-include-soccer-headgear/slide/1/

As a starting point, FIFA approved the use of protective headgear in 2004, so the idea is not new.

We've seen GK Petr Cech wear headgear for many years, following a serious head injury (in 2006), but such examples are still rare. It's not part of the soccer culture. [Not yet, but cultures evolve - see ice hockey.]

I would expect to see the use of helmets grow in the coming years, first for youth players and for anyone who has suffered a concussion/head injury (to protect against re-injury), then expand gradually.

Any helmet sightings out there?

 

Really sorry to hear that, and I'm a little surprised that some sort of protective headgear hasn't caught on yet. Goalkeepers seem particularly vulnerable to more severe head injuries, so that position would be a logical place to start.

Concussions are relatively common injuries for athletes, so common that in my state all high school athletes undergo a baseline concussion screening every two years. That doesn't prevent the initial head injuries, of course, it just facilitates treatment and precautions afterwards.

My younger son played soccer at a recreational level, and players were not (and presumably still are not) allowed to head the ball (up to a U12 age level). With that limitation, the game looked a little peculiar at first, but the players adapted, and it certainly reduced the opportunities for players' heads to crash together.