Questions

It has come to my attention that some parents still have questions. Please feel free to ask questions in the comments section. All posts are anonymous unless you sign in.

Heading and Headgear

In all sports, there is an inherent risk of injury. Heading is an integral part of soccer. Without being able to use that part of the body, it creates a disadvantage to a team or player. Many sports adopt protective measures to assure that it's participants are better protected. It generally begins with one person or team adding equipment that was not there before. American Football helmets have changed through the years to provide adequate protection for collisions. They started with no helmets. Hockey players helmets have also changed through the years. They also were not required to wear a helmet or goalie mask to begin with. One goalie, after getting his checkbone smashed, started the trend of wearing goalie masks. Shinguards were not required by FIFA at one time. It takes one to start a trend and I believe in the head protection trend for soccer. FIFA, NFHS, and US Soccer have all authorized the use headgear. This is but the stepping stone.

I began wearing headgear about 3 years ago. I have suffered a number of minor concussions playing soccer and I wanted to protect myself. The Full90 headgear does an amazing job of softening a blow to the head. It also provides some protection for head to head contact, which most studies say is the biggest cause of concussions in soccer. Originally, a couple of guys questioned(okay teased!) me about wearing it but eventually they came to accept it and some have even asked about where to purchase one for themselves.

I have done a lot of research regarding the use of head protection in soccer. A majority of what is the research is inconclusive due to the fact that brain trauma and disease is difficult to study over the long term. I am providing links to websites where you can read about a number of studies. Not all of these studies support my ideals.

Once a girl becomes a part of my program, they begin something more than a player to me. They become family. I want to see them succeed and become better individuals. I take on the role of an additional father. In that respect, I also want to protect them--now and later. Providing and requiring the headgear(I will make both of my own children wear it) gives me the satisfaction of knowing that, at this point in time, I have provided the best possible protection for my girls. FIFA, NFHS, and US Soccer have all authorized the use headgear. I have been considering and debating this issue for three years now and have come to the conclusion that it is the right thing to do. If need be, I will fight for this out of concern for the safety of your daughter(s). I don't mean to frighten anyone, but a lot of the girls and some parents have brought this to my attention. I felt it was necessary to resond.

Some websites regarding heading, headgear and brain diseases/injuries:
http://bjsm.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/39/5/249
editorial with a number of references
http://www.full90.com/
website of the headgear that we will wear, also has some interesting articles to read
http://www.fifa.com/en/development/medical/index/0,1233,36777,00.html?articleid=36777
a FIFA article regarding heading
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/327/7411/351
more information
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/475273
more information
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/soccer.html
more information
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/27/sports/soccer/27soccer.html?ex=1259298000&en=f583eda461e3db70&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt
article discussing benefits of headgear

You can research more. I do hope that you agree.

Parent Meeting

This is just a reminder(In case your daughter failed to inform you) about our parent meeting tonight. We will meet at 6:30 in the school cafeteria. We will discuss important information about the upcoming season. Please bring a checkbook to the meeting. Dues are $200 to cover equipment costs and $100 for our overnight trip to St. Simons.