- Jul 22, 2013
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- AFL Club
- Carlton
The concussion problem in American Football isn't players trying to draw free kicks with head high contact, it's that it's a full contact game. The problem is the rules.
You're right, it's not about drawing free kicks in the NFL. For them it's about deliberately using the helmet as a weapon to dislodge the ball in a tackle or to batter through the opposition when attacking.
The outcome is the same. Deliberately placing the head into the contact.
It would take our players and coaches about five minutes to start using the helmet that way. On top of ducking for free kicks.
There is a common misapprehension that boxing gloves are in boxing to cushion the impact on the bloke being hit. Not true. They are there to stop the bloke throwing the punch from breaking his hands - so he can hit more aggressively.
The same principal is true of the helmet. It's there to allow the player to use his head aggressively.