How To Buy A Football Helmet For Kids

Learning how to buy a football helmet for kids is extremely important. Safety is foremost in this important process, in which you want to make sure the helmet will adequately protect the kids from injury. Take the following steps into account to learn how to buy a football helmet for kids.

1. Determine the needed size of the football helmet first. Measure the child's head, using a measuring tape one inch above the eyebrows. Not all manufacturer's tables use similar measurements to determine the size of the football helmet. Consult the appropriate list to determine the size of the football helmet needed.
2. Ensure the helmet fits properly. Press downward on the helmet; the force should be on the crown of the head and not on the brow to ensure proper fit. The chin strap should be without slack, which is another important component to ensuring proper fit and safety. Make sure the chin strap fits properly, in order to protect the chin area and to secure the helmet firmly.
3. Look for NOCSAE seal. The NOCSAE is the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment, an organization that develops standards for athletic equipment. This is a good way to ensure the helmet meets all safety standards.
4. Look for other desirable elements for the football helmet. Of course, the football helmet may need to be in a particular color for the kids' football team.  Other options may be useful, such as different kinds of face masks for positions. Whatever the case may be, ensure that the helmet first meets all safety standards and fits properly, and choose from there for any other desirable elements.

Reference: 

"Coaching Youth Football" (5th Edition). ASEP and Joe Galat.