Full-contact football requires several pieces of gear to keep the players safe. Properly fitted equipment helps reduce the severity of injuries and protects the key areas of the body, particularly the head and torso. Inspecting the equipment regularly allows you to identify potential faults that could decrease the protection offered.
Headgear
The helmet provides protection for the head for any football game that involves contact. The combination of the hard outer shell and inner padding absorbs the shock of an impact, with another player or the ground. The face mask attached to the helmet keeps players from colliding. A chin strap secures the helmet onto the player's head.
The mouthpiece is another key piece of equipment for head protection. The mouthpiece keeps the teeth safe and absorbs part of the shock of impact. The mouthpiece is molded to the player's teeth by heating it in water before the player bites down on it. This provides a tight fit in the mouth.
Upper-Body Protection
Padding on the upper body and torso is another key piece of equipment for football players. Shoulder pads provide protection during tackling for the shoulders, back and chest. A flat style of shoulder pads works best for quarterbacks because they allow a greater range of motion. The positions that require more tackling and blocking use a bulkier version to provide more protection.
Lower-Body Protection
The lower body also needs protection during a football game. Knee pads go inside the player's pants and provide protection to the knees. Thigh pads also go underneath the pants to protect the thigh area of the leg during tackles and other impact involving the legs. Players also wear hip and tailbone pads for additional lower-body protection.
Cleats
The cleats are specialty shoes worn by football players for traction on the football field. The shoes also support the foot to reduce injuries. A high-top cleat provides more ankle protection, which is useful for linemen during lateral movements. Mid-cuts and low-cuts are also available with each providing less support but allowing players to run faster.
The two main type of cleats are molded and detachable. Molded cleats feature studs that are part of the shoe's sole. Detachable cleats come out of the shoe's sole and can be replaced or changed. This gives the player more control over the size and type of cleat used.
Accessories
Other accessories make the player more comfortable and provide additional protection. A visor protects the eyes from injury during the game. Elbow pads are sometimes used by players. During cold weather, long-sleeved shirts keep the arms warm. Gloves also help protect the hands and assist in certain positions. The two types of gloves are linemen and receiver gloves. The linemen gloves are padded more and provide protection for the knuckles, fingers and hands. Receiver gloves help players catch the ball better. They have less bulk so they don't interfere with catching.
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