JOURNAL SPORTS
Getting geared up to play a football game is easier than ever.
Innovations in equipment designs have made dressing out for practice and games simpler and less cumbersome – and importantly, safer.
Not every change is embraced – pants without knee pads are appreciated by some coaches, but disdained by others, for example. But there seems to be universal agreement that today’s helmets are much better – lighter to wear, yet safer.
Several coaches shared their perspectives on this week’s Shreveport-Bossier Journal Coaches Roundtable question about the evolution of equipment.
GARY COOPER, Booker T. Washington – “I definitely like the seven-piece girdles with the built in pads. That’s a few less items we would have to order, inventory, and keep up with. I’m a fan of all the new helmet designs and safety features, but I’m not a fan of the prices, lol.”
JERRY BYRD, Plain Dealing – “Helmet technology has vastly improved and that’s a great thing for the short and long-term health of the players. I’m a fan of that. I’m not a fan of the disappearance of the knee pads, which — at this point — are becoming extinct. Coaches are caught in the middle between high school kids who watch college and pros, and want to look like that, and high school officials, who want to follow the rules to the T.”
STEPHEN DENNIS, Benton – “I think the technology put into helmets is great!!! When paired with how most people are teaching tackling, where the ‘head’ is out of the tackle fit, I think it’s going a long way to making our sport much better and safer!!”
DENNY DURON, Evangel – “I love the reversible jerseys. The two-in-one jersey has helped us tremendously both in practice and game apparel. On one side you have your home colors, on the other side, the away jersey. So very convenient.”
AUSTIN BROWN, Northwood – “Definitely glad I don’t have to holler about knee pads any more! We try to stay on the newest, safest equipment changes, i.e. new helmets, these collar things and all that’s coming out. I think the best innovation has been the padding put on the outside of the helmets.”
STACY BALLEW, Byrd – “All the equipment is lighter and safer and that makes it much better for the players.”
JUSTIN SCOGIN, Airline – “I think the helmets are the best change ever, though they are really expensive. Everything has changed for the better equipment wise.”
COY BROTHERTON, Parkway – “I miss the neck rolls and huge shoulder pads. The helmets are all new with technology that tracks hits and impacts, but like cars, the new ones aren’t as durable as they used to be. Seems like stuff is having to be fixed all the time.”
Anonymous south Louisiana coach – “I told one of our kids who wanted a pair of pants with no knee pads, because they look so cool; ‘OK, and when I go see you in the hospital with your busted knee, I’ll say, ‘man, that’s tough … but you DID look cool.’ “