Today's football helmets offer superior protection for the head and come in a variety of sizes and with different padding systems. It is important to know the different components when purchasing a football helmet.

Types of helmets

Youth

Adult

Helmet components

Air systems

Padding

NOCSAE

Chin straps

Face masks

Styles

Sizes

Safety warnings

Types of helmets

Youth

Youth models are obviously designed to fit a smaller player's head

Additionally, these typically use a different type of plastic, such as ABS, which is plenty durable but less expensive than tougher plastics used in adult helmets

Adult

Adult helmets generally use a Lexan Polycarbonate shell, a very resilient material

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Helmet Components

Air systems

Helmet manufacturers offer models with an air system liner

This is designed to return the air system to its original state after a collision much more rapidly than foams or straps

Air systems withstand repeated blows better than helmets that use just foam pads

In addition, air systems are generally more comfortable and provide for an easy fit since air can be adjusted to tighten the helmet to your head's specific shape

Padding

Helmets come with a series of pads, usually foam, that further cushion the head, jaw and nose

These pads usually come standard with any helmet that you buy

Replacement pads, liner padding systems and liners also are offered

Pads may be designed specifically for your helmet model

Pads include front and back sizes to adjust the helmet's fit

Pads for the top, side and back of the helmet and jaw pads also are part of the padding system

Manufacturers offer these pads in different thickness, ranging from 1/2 to 1 inch, to allow you to select the firmness that you prefer

NOCSAE

NOCSAE stands for the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment, a voluntary organization that has developed standards for a variety of sports protective equipment

Any helmet that bears the NOCSAE seal shows the manufacturer has met the standards at the time the helmet was manufactured

Chin straps

Face Masks

Helmets come in two basic ways: with and without the mask

There is an array of face masks offered, each designed to protect various parts of the face and to optimize protection for different players while still allowing them the best visibility to play their position

Manufacturers often use letters to designate a facemask's designed protection

OPO--Oral Protection Only

JOP--Jaw and Oral Protection

NOPO--Nose and Oral Protection Only

NJOP--Nose, Jaw and Oral Protection

EGOP--Eye Glass and Oral Protection

In order to protect the carbon steel that is generally used in facemasks, manufacturers may offer different coatings, with a premium paid for more durable coatings