By Chewy Baumel ’13, Staff Writer

New technology is being developed at this very moment to increase the safety of all sports. As the years have progressed, sports have become increasingly violent and aggressive.  Soccer is generally considered to be a low-impact sport when compared to harder-hitting games like football and rugby, but this may be a misconception. If you were to come out and watch a varsity soccer game, your opinion would most likely change. The roughness of the sport is clearly reflected in a recent study by the National High School Injury Surveillance Board. During the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school years, an estimated 400,000 athletes suffered from a soccer-related injury each year.

These injuries included more than just bumps and bruises.  Concussions for example, a serious injury that can cause prolonged bleeding in the brain, accounted for approximately 10% of the injuries suffered by both girls and boys.  By definition, a concussion is usually a blow to one’s head that temporarily interferes with brain function, causing disorientation or brief loss of consciousness for affected athletes.  While in most cases a single concussion is not very serious, multiple concussions can cause long-term brain damage and even death.

Luckily for concerned athletes and parents, a recently developed product in the shape of padded headgear has been gaining popularity after several studies have shown its effectiveness in reducing athletes’ chances of contracting concussions.  The headgear comes in the shape of an enlarged headband that covers the forehead, temples, and occipital bones in the back of the head.  It is made up of a soft, foamy material that is meant to protect the head, but to not endanger other athletes.  Some studies have cited this headgear as reducing the chance of a concussion by up to 50%.

At NA, the soccer teams are split on the decision to wear the headgear. Last season a new mandate came into effect for all women’s soccer players to wear the headgear during games, and the policy has continued this year.  While many of the female soccer players have reported that the headgear is very uncomfortable, they also admit that the headgear gives them a sense of protection and safety when going up for head volleys.  While it is hard to prove how effective the headgear has been, while the women’s soccer team was suffering from a couple serious concussions a season in years past, last year marked the first season without a serious concussion to a player.

On the other hand, the men’s varsity team has yet to wear the headgear.  The players complain that the headgear is both unattractive in appearance and lacks comfort. However, sportsmanship and fair play have been encouraged this year by referees, who have been starting games with a “circle talk” before each game to discuss sportsmanship and safe play on the field.

Headgear is still a new and evolving product, so soccer players, parents, and fans will have to see how the battle over headgear plays out in the future.  For many concerned parents, the choice to wear headgear seems clear enough: if it can in any way prevent injuries, players should wear it.  However, the data demonstrating a tangible benefit by headgear is still being accumulated, so many players remain resistant to wearing a product they find uncomfortable or even hindering to performance.  There is also an argument to be made that the headgear will encourage reckless head volleying with an unsafe sense of security by players, a result that would even encourage injuries.

Soccer remains despite any misconceptions, a rough and dangerous sport.  Whether the best way to combat injuries is through emphasizing safe technique or by mandating new equipment, only time will tell.