Football players are protected with a type of armor. Football is classified as a contact sport, but it has been more accurately described as a collision sport. When players run at each other at full speed in an attempt to block or tackle, equipment like shoulder pads and helmets have to absorb the bulk of the blow.
Shoulder Pads -- Blocking and Tackling
The shoulder pads are both offensive and defensive weapons. Players are taught to drive their shoulders into their opponents when tackling or blocking. When tackling, your target area is often between the knees and the chest. When blocking, the target area is the midsection.
Shoulder Pads -- Defensive Maneuver
The shoulder pads are also used as defensive weapons. Running backs and receivers try to absorb blows by accepting contact on the shoulder pads and taking as much of the contact as possible. When you can take the brunt of the tackle or block with the shoulder pads, it will likely knock you backward but it will help your avoid injury. When the running back knows a big hit is coming, he tries to get as low or lower than his opponent so he can keep driving forward. Players have been taught from the earliest stages of organized football that the low man wins the battle and that's why players try to use their shoulder pads to take the blows.
Protective Helmet
The helmet is made of hard plastic with foam pads inside to protect the head. Players are not supposed to hit opponents in the head, but the helmet is necessary because players often take shots to the head because the game is played at such a fast pace and players get hit in the head unintentionally. While the helmet will absorb and displace much of the energy of the blow, it cannot prevent many head injuries and concussions.
Helmet -- As a Weapon
Many of the top football highlight videos involve hard tackles that begin with a player launching into an opponent and jarring him with his helmet. This was a legal maneuver until 1998 when the NFL declared that tacklers could not lead with the head. This was first done to protect quarterbacks and then it was done to protect all players. The helmet can be a devastating weapon when a tackler leads with it and the NFL can suspend or fine players for leading with their heads.
Overall Comparison
The NFL encourages players to deliver hits and absorb hits with their shoulder pads. Hits to and with the head are discouraged. It's not safe to use the helmet to distribute force or absorb it. Under most circumstances, the shoulder pads can absorb and accept heavy blows without injuries resulting.
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