How To Size Youth Softball Helmets

Most youth softball leagues require not only batting and catching helmets, but chin straps and face cages for their players. These additional items usually don't come with the helmet, so you'll need to purchase them separately and either install them yourself or have the retailer you buy them from do so. The helmet remains the foundation of the protective system, however, and if the helmet doesn't fit your child properly, neither a face cage nor a chin strap will help.

Step 1

Measure around the player's head, one inch above the eyebrows, with a flexible measuring tape. Convert this measurement to a helmet size by consulting a helmet sizing chart. While you can purchase an adjustable one-size-fits-all (OSFA) youth softball helmet, these helmets require adjustment and may feel tight on children with larger heads. Have your child try on both sized and OSFA helmets to feel the difference.

Step 2

Have your child try the helmet you picked on. It should be snug but not tight. Check to make sure that, when firmly seated on your child's head, the front edge of the helmet sits one inch above her eyebrows. If it sits higher, you need a larger helmet; lower, a smaller helmet. If you're using a OSFA helmet, you may need to adjust the helmet-sizing dial or add extra padding (which may be included with the helmet, or you may need to purchase it from a sporting goods store) to achieve the proper fit.

Step 3

Check to make sure the side panels of the helmet sit flush with your child's face. Put your hand on top of the helmet and rotate the helmet gently from side to side. Your child's head should turn with the helmet; if the helmet turns back and forth on the child's head, it is too large. Try a size smaller, adjust the fitting dial or add more padding.

Step 4

Gently lift up on the back edge of the helmet. If the helmet slides forward over her face, the helmet is too large; size down or adjust as necessary. If the helmet lifts up off her head instead of sliding forward, the helmet is the correct size.

Tips and Warnings

Most OSFA helmets come with a ponytail channel hidden inside the helmet, so that boys or girls with long hair can wear the helmets with their hair back.