Playing football can lead to serious head injuries if you don’t have a properly fitted football helmet. The helmet offers protection to your head, but it must fit properly. You should always try a helmet on before you purchase it so that you know it fits well. It is important to make sure that the athlete’s hair is styled as it will be during practices and games, as hair can change the fit of the helmet. Then, you can follow certain standards to make sure the helmet fits. Continue reading to learn how to tell if a football helmet fits.
Use a Soft Tape Measure or a String to Measure the Athlete’s Head
The first thing that you need to do is measure the circumference of the athlete’s head. A soft tape measure will give you an accurate reading, but you can also use a string. Keep your finger on the part of the string that meets the other end, and then you can measure the string with a ruler or a yard stick. This will give you the circumference of the head, which is the sizing used by football helmets.
When you measure the athlete’s head, you will go around the head just above the ears and the eyebrows. It is important to make sure that the tape measure is level all the way around so that you get an accurate reading. If you know the brand you want to buy, you should look at their sizing. Each manufacturer sizes helmets a little differently, but they will all use sizing that is based on this circumference measurement.
Try the Helmet on
Once you have a measurement for the circumference of your head, you can try the helmet on. It should feel snug all the way around, and there should not be space between the padding and your head. The helmet should not move around or slide up and down. Once the chin straps are fastened, the helmet should stay securely in place.
It is also important that the helmet is not too tight. If it is, it can be very uncomfortable and lead to headaches and other discomforts. Make sure that the helmet is comfortable, snug, and feels secure. In addition, consider the hairstyle of the athlete. If you have long hair, style it how you plan to wear it during practices and games. The placement of the hair can change the fit of the helmet, so it is important to fit the helmet with the hair in place.
Adjust the Chin Straps
Once the helmet feels nice and snug, you need to clasp the chin straps and make sure that they fit properly. The chin strap should sit under your chin. You can open your mouth wide to see if you can pull the helmet down on your head. If you can’t, then you need to tighten your chin straps.
When your chin straps are fastened in place properly, the helmet should not move side to side or back and forth. The manufacturer will have chin strap fitting instructions that come with the helmet, so be sure to follow them. It is just as important for the chin straps to fit properly as it is for the helmet itself.
Getting a football helmet is important, and it needs to fit properly. If it doesn’t fit well, your head is as much at risk as it is without a helmet. There are a number of ways to make sure that your helmet fits, and you should take the time to be thorough. Be sure to measure your head, and then get the helmet that is your size. You need to adjust the straps to make sure that the helmet doesn’t move around. When your helmet fits properly, it will feel snug without being too tight.