US Lacrosse and NOCSAE could not get standards for women’s lacrosse helmets set in time for the FHSAA’s self imposed deadline so they just approved pretty much anything that companies submitted.  Ironically, FHSAA just pulled two boys’ helmets which had their NOCSAE certification voided, but approved a wide variety of headgear for girls, none of which has been approved or certified by NOCSAE.  One of the companies FHSAA approved, Ruggers.com, is not even a manufacture but a retailer who sells helmets made by three different companies! They also sell T-shirts and shoes.  So how does a retailer become an approved helmet manufacturer? So any helmet they chose to sell in the future will be an “approved helmet?”  They don’t even call them helmets, they call the whole section “head protection.”  One has to wonder what kind of stats they included in their response to FHSAA to become approved.

Speaking of stats, let’s not forget that the data used to push this through was so horrendously flawed and incomplete that any new data collected will be useless to determine whether this rule helps or hurts the girls.  But FHSAA will have met their need which is to “feel” like they are doing “something” to make the athletes safer.  Even if it puts them at greater risk.

The following is the text of an email sent to Athletic Directors and coaches with information on the “approved” helmets.  The definition of “approved” appears to be, “sent us an email and a website address.”

From: Florida High School Athletic Association

To: Member School Athletic Directors  and Girls Lacrosse Coaches

 Re:  Soft Headgear Companies, which submitted product samples, pricing and testing information to the Association.

 In June of 2014 the FHSAA Board of Directors adopted a Policy requiring all participants in Girls’ Lacrosse to wear soft headgear protection beginning this school year.  At a subsequent Board of Directors meeting in September this mandate was reaffirmed, along with required training and certification for Girls’ Lacrosse Officials.

 Although the US Lacrosse and ASTM were not able to publish impact-testing specifications, the FHSAA sent out emails asking companies to respond with Independent Testing information, team pricing and a sample of their product.  At this time, we have had the following companies comply with that request and have approved any of these for use for this year (In Alphabetical order only, there is no preference specified by this list and urge you to go online and view the products in order to make your decisions):

  Full 90 – go to:  full90.com

Gamebreaker Helmets – go to:  www.gamebreakerhelmets.com

HRP Sports – go to: www.hrpsports.com    

Leader Sports – go to: www.leaderheadgear.com

Ruggers – go to: www.ruggers.com

Storelli Sports – go to:  storelli headguard

You will find prices ranging from $39.95 up to $69.95, depending on how decorative and logo-specific you want your headgear.  You will also note a vast difference in designs from full ‘helmet-type’ headgear to headbands.  All are designed for protecting and safety for the student-athlete.