NGT: Radical Re-design of Helmets: Coming to NFL Soon

slide on contact which may raise tge risk of neck injuries. I am not sure that can be fixed on helmets with "give".

I also found it noteworthy the financial backing by the doctors/surgeons as mentioned in the article. Must be something to the Vicis helmets development they see as valuable enough to make a significant investment. Thanks for posting, CHP.

advocate these modifications , writing in SI , circa 1983?

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the concussion problem is going to be very rich. I'm always interested in stuff like this.

the answer to head injuries. If this design can cut down or eliminate CTE, then football will move forward. Without a fix for CTE in football, football is doomed long term. I am happy they continue to work the problem.

A lot of TBI comes from repetitive, sub-concussive impacts. Many of these don't even involve any kind of helmet contact.

but then dropped them due to fit issues.

In comment 13472555 Bold Ruler said:

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but then dropped them due to fit issues.

The article mentions that in the last paragraph or two. Says the company made some tweaks to the design after that feedback.

a HANS-like device, the concussion situation will not be solved - but it can be minimized. Making changes like this may slightly decrease the amount of concussions, or maybe it won't. Concussions from whiplash and the mini-collisions that result in the brain lightly bumping against the skull several times a game won't be stopped, and there is also the possibility that improvement in equipment will actually produce more concussions because players will ratchet up their recklessness in the belief the equipment will protect them.

Until safer tackling techniques are used by everyone, the concussion rate and head injury rates will more than likely remain stable or increase. This new helmet will not be a cure, and may not even lessen the situation.

if it gets (x # of impact).

In that way it also serves as a notice to take the player out of the game for (3?) plays and check for concussion.

The breaking would serve two functions:

1- reduce transfer of impact to actual head by allowing shock into the material instead

2- serves as a notice, as above, an indicator, by rule, pull the kid out for a stretch

In comment 13472579 idiotsavant said:

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if it gets (x # of impact). In that way it also serves as a notice to take the player out of the game for (3?) plays and check for concussion. The breaking would serve two functions: 1- reduce transfer of impact to actual head by allowing shock into the material instead 2- serves as a notice, as above, an indicator, by rule, pull the kid out for a stretch

This is all well and good until a helmet breaks at a critical point in a playoff game or worse, the Super Bowl.

Even in a big spot in a regular season game it could be problematic. I don't see something like this ever being a viable solution.

one can serve the health needs of a kid who might have a concussion, but is not laid out on the field, while game play goes on.

I think people run into objections when they imagine the long game play interruptions.

We may want to explore this above as a false dichotomy, the idea is to protect these young men while also maintaining game play momentum.

If its a 'star player' who has to leave the game for a few downs, that is a small price to pay for his health check, even in a big game,...and, things being equal, rule and helmet tech wise, for each and all teams, it will become just part of the games risks, while reducing health risks .

because that's probably what is needed on CTE. A better helmet is just window dressing.

is answered: the 'star player at crucial moment objection' when they consider the alternative.

Would you rather loose Becks for three plays in a playoff game vs the Cowholders or forever to football due to too many concussions?

Then, the first objection, 'game play stop', as I said, this would reduce the risk of game play stop, as you only need time enough for the kid to run off the field, whereas with old tech, he may more likely be laid out on the field, which takes much longer.

It makes sense. Like MIPS in bike helmets, anything that can slow the deceleration on impact would be very important.

Eliminate the three point stance.

Played OL for years- had numerous concussions before we even called them that. My experience is that players love to "light up" someone in practice to get the coaches attention and to "show off."

What I found with LB, S and RB is that because the shoulder pads absorb so much impact, players often launch themselves at the target because they believe that the shoulder pads will limit the impact. Sportcenter's culture of focusing on the "blow 'em up" plays didn't help either.

I think that the new helmets are a good idea. However, I would combine it with a dramatic change on shoulder pads. Get rid of the current series and move to something more akin to lacrosse shoulder pads.

As many lacrosse players will tell you, it is still possible to put a pretty solid hit on someone with those shoulder pads, but if you try launching yourself or trying one of those 10 yard headstart full speed collisions with those shoulder pads- you won't try it twice.

I think that the key is that if we remove the ability of players to be able to get a head of steam up to blast someone, then by necessity, tackling skills will make a comeback. If you can't knock someone over by barreling into them full speed with your shoulder, then it becomes critical to learn to wrap and drive.

is designed for maintaining mobility. You are talking about a sport where referees have the discretion to call penalties based on if a check is too violent - even if it is "clean", and yet, lacrosse is among the highest sports in terms of concussion % out of any of them.

NFL pads are designed to deflect and minimize blows delivered by a helmet. Lacrosse equipment is designed to deflect and minimize blows from sticks and balls. Launching with the helmet almost never happens and when it does, it is swiftly punished.

In comment 13472623 arcarsenal said:

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In comment 13472579 idiotsavant said: Quote: if it gets (x # of impact). In that way it also serves as a notice to take the player out of the game for (3?) plays and check for concussion. The breaking would serve two functions: 1- reduce transfer of impact to actual head by allowing shock into the material instead 2- serves as a notice, as above, an indicator, by rule, pull the kid out for a stretch This is all well and good until a helmet breaks at a critical point in a playoff game or worse, the Super Bowl. Even in a big spot in a regular season game it could be problematic. I don't see something like this ever being a viable solution.

I'm no advocate for wussifying the sport, but it seems this would not prevent occurrences. Why only pull the guy who's shell "cracked" ? Who's to say the next Gregg Williams doesn't put a bounty on a OBJ "cracked helmet"? Whereas tackling technique should be stressed toward torso and legs, anyone hitting the helmet with "x" enough force to crack the shell should be flagged with spearing type penalty.

In the next couple of years you will see some radical designs of helmets that will make the present helmets look like the old leather helmets.

There is presently an NFL Head Health Initiative that is generating some creative designs in helmet designs and in turf modifications.

The innovative designs need to be fully vetted prior to implementation but they are coming.

In comment 13472642 Deej said:

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because that's probably what is needed on CTE. A better helmet is just window dressing.

This.

In comment 13472725 FatMan in Charlotte said:

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is designed for maintaining mobility. You are talking about a sport where referees have the discretion to call penalties based on if a check is too violent - even if it is "clean", and yet, lacrosse is among the highest sports in terms of concussion % out of any of them. NFL pads are designed to deflect and minimize blows delivered by a helmet. Lacrosse equipment is designed to deflect and minimize blows from sticks and balls. Launching with the helmet almost never happens and when it does, it is swiftly punished.

1. Launching with the helmet in lacrosse has been flagged as spearing forever. I played club after college with a guy who had a cup of coffee in the NFL and played up in the CFL for a number of years who couldn't break with his football training and got called for that constantly.

2. I'm surprised (not questioning)that the concussion figures for lacrosse are that high. Back in the day, when the rules allowed a much more physical game, they were a relatively small fraction of those in football.

3. As far as shoulder pads go, it was SOP for players to get a 10 yard head start and pop somebody wearing no shoulder pads at all. The only people who wore shoulder pads were those playing through injury or having a history of separated shoulders. Maybe 5-10% of those playing.

In comment 13472642 Deej said:

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because that's probably what is needed on CTE. A better helmet is just window dressing.

Window dressing is a little harsh. I'd say it may mitigate the problem to a degree but it won't solve it.

Create a blood pillow that decreases tthe space between the brain and skull (which is what we are concerned with here, mostly) while pecking, by basically making a blood pillow. It inspired a neck worn device https://www.technologyreview.com/s/600691/new-collar-promises-to-keep-athletes-brains-from-sloshing-during-impact/ that's really exciting.

In re helmets I've always thought about a suspension system inside a dual or multi core structure. The problem is sort of like the egg drop or stabilizing a camera or passenger comfort in a car. The thing you want to stabilize needs to be able to float "apart" from the actual apparatus.

The helmet's outer core should have free movement and connect via an inner suspension/dampening system (could be spring like or materials based or combination - 6dHelmets has a rubber spring style helmet for Motocross), optional middle impact layers depending on materials, and a piece that conforms to the skull itself which will generally be free moving. This helmet would add additional time to impact via layering and dampening, which reduces force, as well as cradle the head during the primary and secondary impacts. The hit to the head is bad, the bounce off the turf is just as bad, if not worse.

I don't know how the Hummingbird concept could interplay with the helmet, but this has always been an area of casual interest.

Anyway, back of the napkin ideas.