# Soccer Protective Headgear **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 28, 2012, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-protective-headgear/614229 "2012-02-28T05:23:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2012, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-protective-headgear/614229/21 "2012-02-29T11:17:46Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Heh! Wild horses couldn’t prevent me! > > I do figure, though, that the bit with the headgear is gonna have to go… > > Would it make more sense if they teased him about shin pads or knee pads? Looking at YouTube, I see that not everyone wears these… > > (Concept was character development. “I don’t want to get hurt.” “Yah, ya sissy, be a man, do you see us wearing armor?”) > > (One of the times I played softball, I wasn’t wearing a groin-cup. Got a line drive right in the cojones. Holy ouch. I could distinctly feel my ureters…outlined in flame…) No - not everyone would wear shin pads for a friendly kick-about, but it definitely wouldn’t be weird to do so. Perhaps a mouth guard could work, partly because it looks silly. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2012, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-protective-headgear/614229/22 "2012-02-29T12:28:25Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > In England they are called shin pads, not shin guards. Correcting me on that kinda tells me that you’re not so knowledgeable yourself. You may want to actually take a moment to read what you quoted… see that part about regional variations? My assumption was that they were not writing to a British audience since they are calling it Soccer. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2012, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-protective-headgear/614229/23 "2012-02-29T14:02:41Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > You may want to actually take a moment to read what you quoted… see that part about regional variations? My assumption was that they were not writing to a British audience since they are calling it Soccer. You said that there are regional variations but that using the term shinpads would show that someone isn’t knowledgeable about soccer. Either you accept that there are regional variations, OR you’re claiming that I’m using the wrong term - you can’t have it both ways. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2012, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-protective-headgear/614229/24 "2012-02-29T14:18:04Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Well, yes, that’s kind of my main point: the character would be, in fact, heavily teased for being a wimp. > > My question really is: could it happen? In a corporate league, or in just a pick-up game with a bunch of guys meeting for fun? > > If I’m advised to drop the idea, I will… That’s why I’m asking! It could happen, but in the same way that he could turn up wearing a party dress and ruby slippers. The reality is that the chance of it happening is almost vanishingly small. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2012, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-protective-headgear/614229/25 "2012-02-29T15:45:48Z")
I think that it could be a really good character development device–precisely \*because \* so many people here are having such a hard time with the concept of someone wearing one. That indicates that your character would be received in the way that I think you want him to be. I’ve been around soccer for quite some time. I refereed at various levels for years. I think–maybe once–I saw a kid wearing headgear. He may or may not have had some sort of previous injury. As the referee I was of course responsible for what the players wore on the field\* and I wasn’t quite sure how to handle this at first. In the end I just figured—meh… it’s just a 14 year-old. I inspected it, saw it wasn’t a danger to anyone else and just let him play. Yeah. It all hinges on the “previous injury” thing. In your story, if the guy was widely known to have had a skull fracture two years ago, nobody would give him any grief, IMO. But if not, and he just showed up that way… boy, would he get some flack. And that’s here in America where most people don’t really know a lot about the game anyway. \*I was pretty strict about it too–caught a lot of jawing from a player in a competitive men’s open league I insisted had to remove his wedding ring. (Ended up just having him tape it up all nice a neat) ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2012, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-protective-headgear/614229/26 "2012-02-29T15:54:14Z")
When I played goalie, at the secondary school level, I wore knee pads. I didn’t see many other keepers wearing them, though. I got tired of having the skin taken off my knees by the poor fields we were playing on. On good grass fields, I didn’t bother. I wouldn’t be surprised to see soccer head protection start to make an appearance, considering the developing research on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). I think you’ll see it in youth leagues before you’d see it at the higher levels, due to the present day’s much greater emphasis on child safety. I had thought though, that the vast majority of the problem was due to heading the ball, and that it was much more of a problem when leather balls were used, as they could absorb much more water than plastic/polymer balls. More water meant more weight, meant a heavier blow to the head. With polymer balls, I’d think it’s less of a problem, even considering the great speeds these guys can kick a ball. Besides his head injury, Petr Cech also gets a pass since he’s one of the best keepers in the world. If he wanted to dress like Buckethead, I think he’d get a pass. Cynically, watching my sister’s rec. league, the protective equipment that rec. players should use are knee braces. I swear, her league must have been started by the local orthopedic surgeons’ association. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2012, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-protective-headgear/614229/27 "2012-02-29T17:57:52Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > I had thought though, that the vast majority of the problem was due to heading the ball, and that it was much more of a problem when leather balls were used, as they could absorb much more water than plastic/polymer balls. More water meant more weight, meant a heavier blow to the head. With polymer balls, I’d think it’s less of a problem, even considering the great speeds these guys can kick a ball. Besides his head injury, Petr Cech also gets a pass since he’s one of the best keepers in the world. If he wanted to dress like Buckethead, I think he’d get a pass. I’ve certainly read that old balls caused long term brain problems, for wont of a better word. Bit like injuries a boxer might sustain. I think in modern times it’s less about the damage the ball can do and more about clashing heads with another player going for the same ball. Isn’t this what happened to Cech? ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2012, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-protective-headgear/614229/28 "2012-02-29T18:28:05Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > When I played goalie, at the secondary school level, I wore knee pads. I didn’t see many other keepers wearing them, though. I got tired of having the skin taken off my knees by the poor fields we were playing on. On good grass fields, I didn’t bother. In the 80s (when I were a teen) the goalies wore tracksuit bottoms for that. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2012, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-protective-headgear/614229/29 "2012-02-29T18:51:35Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > When I played goalie, at the secondary school level, I wore knee pads. I didn’t see many other keepers wearing them, though. I got tired of having the skin taken off my knees by the poor fields we were playing on. On good grass fields, I didn’t bother. Same for me when playing goalie in my youth. We used to play on cinder fields then, but I’ve never seen any player but a goalkeeper wear them, whatever the field was like. > [@SanVito](#): > > I’ve certainly read that old balls caused long term brain problems, for wont of a better word. Bit like injuries a boxer might sustain. I think in modern times it’s less about the damage the ball can do and more about clashing heads with another player going for the same ball. Isn’t this what happened to Cech? No, it was [an unintentional kick](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPdaRFDCm8Q), or a clash between his head and a striker’s shin/knee (can’t quite make out which by the poor youtube vid, and I don’t remember), respectively. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2012, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-protective-headgear/614229/30 "2012-02-29T18:55:18Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > Isn’t this what happened to Cech? He was hit in the head by a player’s knee. [Video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgX1Yb9p5b8&feature=related). It’s a bit strange - it doesn’t look serious at all at first, but then he ends up being stretchered off. Turns out his skull was fractured. Apparently, though, it was later discovered that he has a [weaker than normal skull](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-450556/Sports-Agenda-Cech-aims-stay-ahead-game.html). Edit: Beaten to it by **EinsteinsHund**. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2012, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-protective-headgear/614229/31 "2012-03-01T02:11:46Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > Just a little bit of advise… I hope you do continue on this path, but be aware that your lack of knowledge on a sport that is followed very seriously by some could take someone out of the story. I’m sure there are also regional variations, but something as simple as calling them shin pads rather than shin guards would tell me immediately that you weren’t knowledgeable about the game. Have someone who is a soccer fan proof read/edit before you publish. Definitely! I have seen several requests here on IMHO where people have asked others to read their stuff, and, in due course, I hope to follow that path! (There is a lovely old Punch cartoon, showing a fox hunt, and everyone is all rolling around screaming in laughter – the hunters, the horses, the hounds, everyone – all at the expense of one poor blighter who is looking utterly humiliated. “The Man Who Called Them ‘Dogs.’” I am trying not to be that man!) ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2012, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-protective-headgear/614229/32 "2012-03-01T02:18:05Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > You said that there are regional variations but that using the term shinpads would show that someone isn’t knowledgeable about soccer. Either you accept that there are regional variations, OR you’re claiming that I’m using the wrong term - you can’t have it both ways. I bounced into the “regional variants” thing when I bought “Book of Two Halves,” edited by Nicholas Royle, a collection of football stories, thinking it would help me in terms of basic research. Lovely fun book, and fascinating stories…but all from an English point of view, and completely useless for my purposes! Research 0, Enjoyment 1! Thank you very much, all y’all, for your comments. Research and Enjoyment tied! (Hm… Can anyone recommend a good book of soccer fiction that might help me with basic vocabulary? No, I will not plagiarize!) (“Please to call it ‘Research.’” Tom Lehrer.) ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2012, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-protective-headgear/614229/33 "2012-03-01T15:46:02Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > (Hm… Can anyone recommend a good book of soccer fiction that might help me with basic vocabulary? No, I will not plagiarize!) > > (“Please to call it ‘Research.’” Tom Lehrer.) You’d be better off reading memoirs maybe? ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-protective-headgear/614229/34 "2012-03-01T16:48:09Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > (Hm… Can anyone recommend a good book of soccer fiction that might help me with basic vocabulary? No, I will not plagiarize!) It has been a while since I read it (and is probably more a stylised autobiography than fiction) but Nick Hornby’s “Fever Pitch” may be just the book you are looking for. > **[Fever Pitch: Hornby, Nick: 9781573226882: Amazon.com: Books](https://www.amazon.com/Fever-Pitch-Nick-Hornby/dp/1573226882)** > > Fever Pitch \[Hornby, Nick\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Fever Pitch ---
**Author:** ![mkecane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@mkecane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mkecane)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-protective-headgear/614229/35 "2012-03-01T17:53:52Z")
I’m yet another who plays (rec league in the US), and I’ve never seen a player where headgear of any sort, except on tv with Cech and Chivu (who it should be said always makes me laugh as I think of him as a WWII-era pilot with the chinstraps hanging down). If the goal in your writing is simply to have a device for most players to make fun of one player, you might want to have that individual wear really fancy shoes (boots, if you’re in Britain). I don’t think it’s as big a deal anymore since maybe even more than half of the professionals wear white or colored shoes rather than black shoes, but it used to be a big deal. In my league, it does seem like most players that wear yellow or orange shoes have a few tricks up their sleeves. I have no tricks up my sleeves, and I’d feel ridiculous wearing bright shoes, which would draw attention to the fact that my game is based on hoof-it-and-run (unfortunately…I wish I were better). Also, I agree with **amanset** about Fever Pitch. It’s a great book and really tells great stories of English football (and culture) in the 70s and 80s. I hope one day it’s re-published with a few extra chapters, seeing that the Arsenal he wrote about would be unrecognizable in this day and age. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2012, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-protective-headgear/614229/36 "2012-03-01T21:55:35Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > It has been a while since I read it (and is probably more a stylised autobiography than fiction) but Nick Hornby’s “Fever Pitch” may be just the book you are looking for. > > [Fever Pitch: Hornby, Nick: 9781573226882: Amazon.com: Books](http://www.amazon.com/Fever-Pitch-Nick-Hornby/dp/1573226882/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1330620418&sr=8-4) It sounds like fun, and I just sent off for it. But…will it help me much, given that it’s about an English experience, and I’m trying to learn about American soccer culture? I’ll definitely read it, though, for fun if nothing else! Thank’ee! ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-protective-headgear/614229/37 "2012-03-02T16:23:34Z")
There have been a couple other professional players to wear the headgear. I can recall Pat Phelan (New England Revolution) and Alecko Eskandarian (DC United and others). There may have been one or two other MLS-ers. That said, it would be a little strange for a recreational league. Playing recreationally, you tend not to see the scenario of guys clashing heads going up for a header. It’s just not worth it. And me personally, I avoid taking headers when I can, which is usually. Am I a wimp for it? Yup. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-protective-headgear/614229.md?page=1)