Guardian Caps - Authorization to Wear in Games

[NVFOA_Ump]

Questions coming up from multiple sources.  Last year the NFHS in a PowerPoint presentation had a slide that clearly stated (IMHO) that Guardian Caps are allowed optional safety equipment. They have been shown to significantly reduce concussion injuries based on extensive testing. As of this season my information is that they are now legal in NFL, NCAA, and NFHS.  Effectively all football codes in the US.

Are any of you seeing them in games this year?

Frequently Asked Questions | Guardian Sports

[Fatso]

Questions coming up from multiple sources.  Last year the NFHS in a PowerPoint presentation had a slide that clearly stated (IMHO) that Guardian Caps are allowed optional safety equipment. They have been shown to significantly reduce concussion injuries based on extensive testing. As of this season my information is that they are now legal in NFL, NCAA, and NFHS.  Effectively all football codes in the US.

Are any of you seeing them in games this year?

Frequently Asked Questions | Guardian Sports

In LA, we're being told they are not legal unless the school has a letter from the helmet manufacturer confirming the caps are approved for use.  If any player has a cap, we are to ask the coach if he has the letter and if he says yes, then allow it.  If no letter, then it cannot be used.

[ElvisLives]

The governing body for public high school sports and activities in Texas, the UIL, has declared that soft shell caps, such as those manufactured by Guardian, will NOT be allowed for student-athletes at their member institutions. This is regardless of where they are playing, i.e., if they play against a team that belongs to an organization that allows such caps, the UIL team is still prohibited from wearing them. The non-UIL opponent is not governed by UIL rules, and may wear them, even at a UIL site.
The primary governing body for private schools in Texas is TAPPS, and they will allow the use of such caps, with approval from TAPPS, per player. The team must present the Referee with an approval form, signed by a TAPPS authority for each player that will use such a cap, at each game.
So, we will have, at the very least, some UIL schools playing TAPPS schools, and the TAPPS schools may use them, with TAPPS approval forms. UIL schools may not - period.         

[dammitbobby]

In LA, we're being told they are not legal unless the school has a letter from the helmet manufacturer confirming the caps are approved for use.  If any player has a cap, we are to ask the coach if he has the letter and if he says yes, then allow it.  If no letter, then it cannot be used.

That's interesting.  On their website's FAQ section:

Is the Guardian Cap permitted for play by NFHS? Guardian Caps are permitted for high school practice and official games by the NFHS. Please email for the official letter.

Why doesn't the Guardian Cap have the NOCSAE certification sticker? NOCSAE does not have a category for add-on equipment. Since the Guardian is not eligible for NOCSAE certification on its own, we had a NOCSAE certified laboratory test the Guardian according to the protocols to ensure that the addition of the Guardian did not affect the helmet’s ability to pass the NOCSAE standard; all helmets tested passed the requirements for recertification. These helmets included models from Schutt, Riddell, Rawlings, Xenith, and Cascade.


I'm curious as to how many helmet manufacturers are going to take on liability by saying it's approved for use, even though NFHS approved them (assuming that's what the letter says, I don't have it)

[dammitbobby]

The governing body for public high school sports and activities in Texas, the UIL, has declared that soft shell caps, such as those manufactured by Guardian, will NOT be allowed for student-athletes at their member institutions. This is regardless of where they are playing, i.e., if they play against a team that belongs to an organization that allows such caps, the UIL team is still prohibited from wearing them. The non-UIL opponent is not governed by UIL rules, and may wear them, even at a UIL site.
The primary governing body for private schools in Texas is TAPPS, and they will allow the use of such caps, with approval from TAPPS, per player. The team must present the Referee with an approval form, signed by a TAPPS authority for each player that will use such a cap, at each game.
So, we will have, at the very least, some UIL schools playing TAPPS schools, and the TAPPS schools may use them, with TAPPS approval forms. UIL schools may not - period.       

Does that extend to practices as well?

What's the rationale behind not approving them?

[dammitbobby]

also interesting:

NFL says guardian caps reduced concussions by 52%.  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/40964843/swag-safety-nfl-players-guardian-caps

Stanford says there's little to no value in them: https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2023/03/28/padded-helmet-cover-shows-little-protection-for-football-players/

[Maineac]

I'm curious as to how many helmet manufacturers are going to take on liability by saying it's approved for use, even though NFHS approved them (assuming that's what the letter says, I don't have it)

Probably none. Not their device, and at least in some cases it changes the way the helmet is designed to work.

[Fatso]

That's interesting.  On their website's FAQ section:

Is the Guardian Cap permitted for play by NFHS? Guardian Caps are permitted for high school practice and official games by the NFHS. Please email for the official letter.

Why doesn't the Guardian Cap have the NOCSAE certification sticker? NOCSAE does not have a category for add-on equipment. Since the Guardian is not eligible for NOCSAE certification on its own, we had a NOCSAE certified laboratory test the Guardian according to the protocols to ensure that the addition of the Guardian did not affect the helmet’s ability to pass the NOCSAE standard; all helmets tested passed the requirements for recertification. These helmets included models from Schutt, Riddell, Rawlings, Xenith, and Cascade.


I'm curious as to how many helmet manufacturers are going to take on liability by saying it's approved for use, even though NFHS approved them (assuming that's what the letter says, I don't have it)

We were also told that it's highly unlikely any helmet manufacturer would issue that letter.

[Maineac]

also interesting:

NFL says guardian caps reduced concussions by 52%.  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/40964843/swag-safety-nfl-players-guardian-caps

Stanford says there's little to no value in them: https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2023/03/28/padded-helmet-cover-shows-little-protection-for-football-players/

Out of these 2 studies, I know which one I’m putting more faith in.

[dammitbobby]

completely agree - but at the same time, I don't see a downside to wearing them.

[Etref]

Out of these 2 studies, I know which one I’m putting more faith in.

👍

[Ralph Damren]

In Maine ,we have advised the schools that they are allowed in games.

[lawdog]

I find it odd, if not shocking, that ANY high school sanctioning body is going to say that something that the NFHS authorized as safety equipment nationally is not allowed to be used in their state.  I hope they consulted with their legal counsel and checked on their immunity protections and insurance coverage before decreeing that!

If NFHS says it legal, you can rely on their decision. If you go on your own, you are on your own...

[Fatso]

I find it odd, if not shocking, that ANY high school sanctioning body is going to say that something that the NFHS authorized as safety equipment nationally is not allowed to be used in their state.  I hope they consulted with their legal counsel and checked on their immunity protections and insurance coverage before decreeing that!

If NFHS says it legal, you can rely on their decision. If you go on your own, you are on your own...

Has the NFHS directly said that guardian caps are authorized safety equipment?

[ElvisLives]

Does that extend to practices as well?

What's the rationale behind not approving them?

Not practices, but, can’t use them in scrimmages between different schools. UIL says they don’t have data that shows them to be safe. I can’t say one way or another. We just do as we are told.

[NVFOA_Ump]

Has the NFHS directly said that guardian caps are authorized safety equipment?

In 2023 the NFHS has said, and included as part of a PowerPoint Presentation, that Guardian Caps are no longer considered illegal equipment and should not be prohibited in games and left the decision making up to individual leagues and AD's.  Since then the majority of states have officially "authorized" their use in games.

[bama_stripes]

Legal in Alabama.  I had one team that wore them in a jamboree game a couple of weeks ago.

[Ralph Damren]

...And remember, guys, that there isn't a requirement that a team's helmets all need to be the same color.

[Fatso]

In 2023 the NFHS has said, and included as part of a PowerPoint Presentation, that Guardian Caps are no longer considered illegal equipment and should not be prohibited in games and left the decision making up to individual leagues and AD's.  Since then the majority of states have officially "authorized" their use in games.

We're splitting hairs but I think the NFHS has stayed squarely on the fence...  “The NFHS does not endorse products, including the Guardian Cap, but it has determined that permissive use of this product is not a violation of NFHS football rules.”   That is obviously written by their legal team and intended to keep the NFHS in a neutral position.  They have no rules against the caps, but they're not endorsing them either.

[Ralph Damren]

It is considered an auxliary piece of equipment and CAN be worn. if it becomes more popular, other suppliers may appear. To endorse a product by name, IMHO, be inappropriate.

[ElvisLives]

It is considered an auxliary piece of equipment and CAN be worn. if it becomes more popular, other suppliers may appear. To endorse a product by name, IMHO, be inappropriate.

That is why it would be good to use the generic description that the major provider of these caps uses: soft-shell helmet covers. No sense in giving anybody free advertising. I have suspicions about why some governing agencies are not allowing these covers, just yet. Could they be holding out for a deal? Just sayin’…

[Ralph Damren]

The question has came up: What if the protective cover pops off during a play?

My answer was : Where it is optional equipment, the play continues, just as such as a towel coming off.

Any other opinions on that:    ( 95-man crew)

[NVFOA_Ump]

The question has came up: What if the protective cover pops off during a play?

My answer was : Where it is optional equipment, the play continues, just as such as a towel coming off.

Any other opinions on that:    ( 95-man crew)

I actually took a good look at one being worn by a running back in a scrimmage this past Saturday.  The one I looked at had 4 Velcro straps very tightly secured to the helmet.  It's not going to be popping off without some "outside help".   

[Ralph Damren]

I actually took a good look at one being worn by a running back in a scrimmage this past Saturday.  The one I looked at had 4 Velcro straps very tightly secured to the helmet.  It's not going to be popping off without some "outside help".   

Agreed, but remember the helmet can be contacted when making a tackle. Only 9-4-3h (grabing FM, opening,etc) are illegal.

[NVFOA_Ump]

Agreed, but remember the helmet can be contacted when making a tackle. Only 9-4-3h (grabing FM, opening,etc) are illegal.