Flag Football Equipment Day

You know that youth football season is getting close when it is time to start picking up your football equipment. Most organizations will have one or two days where the kids show up to a predetermined area to get their gear. The type, quality and amount of equipment you receive will dependon the club you are playing for. Many of the more exclusive youth football programs, which charge allot to play for them, may buy new equipment each and every year.

Most organizations provide at a minimum the helmet, shoulder pads and some type of uniform. There is a sticker of with the expiration date of the certification of reconditioning, which needs to be on every helmet. Do not use an unconditioned or non-certified helmet. The certification is best if done from a reliable company such as Ridell or Shutt. Make sure to check the helmet for this verification sticker and do not accept any helmet that does not have this on it. I have heard some of the organizations with money order new helmets every year.

When getting your child fitted for the helmet make sure to watch the process carefully. Hopefully the club has a responsible, knowledgable person fitting the helmets on the kids, but watch the process just to make sure. Firm is the only correct way for a helmet to fit a player. You want no movement from the helmet around the head. It needs to be firm and not be able to slide up and down or left to right. The front pad needs to press firmly against the fore head, while the jaw pads need to have no space between them and the jaw bone. Check the back of the skull area, making sure the padding in the helmet fits it snuggly and firm. Please understand I am giving general things to look for and this is by no means a complete guide. Always check with the equipment manager, or another qualified person, that the helmets are fitting correctly.

Shoulder pads are the next piece of equipment to look at make sure they are fitting your son correctly. A simple test is to lift up the plastic pad portion and verify that the soft pad area covers the entire shoulder. Next check all the hardware to make sure there are no pointy screws or metal pieces sticking out. Next check the clamps to make sure they fit well and review the straps confirming they are in good shape.

Most of the other equipment you may receive is rib guards, girdles and pads for the pants. You always hold the option of purchasing your own pads and equipment if you do not like what you receive from the organization. There are inexpensive options for good quality pads.

In concluding, do not be in a rush when picking up your football equipment. Likewise , don't be a pain in the rear, just make sure everything fits right. It will be a hectic day, so you will have to take on this responsibility yourself.

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