Comments on: HHSAA does away with spring ‘pads’ practice

By: 91'

91' — Fri, 27 May 2016 04:12:53 +0000

Something about removing safety equipment to protect the kids doesn’t sound right. I don’t think the concussion epidemic was a result of padded spring practices. Football is a contact sport and spring is a perfect time to teach these kids how to use their leads and helmets for safety and not as a weapon.
There will be many kids attending fully padded camps this summer and without a padded spring ball to warm up and refresh their technique it will put those kids in more of a dangerous position. Four days of padded practice right before the first scrimmage this summer isn’t enough time to get the neck and body ready for the full contact which will take place.
It sounds more like the ILH complained that it wasn’t fair the OIA had these padded spring sessions. Is it really in the best interest of the kids? Almost sounds like the decision the NCAA made about satellite camps because it wasn’t fair for the SEC who couldn’t do them.

By: AOK

AOK — Mon, 02 May 2016 06:37:32 +0000

Sounds like HHSAA setting themselves for the inevitable OIA-ILH merger. Leveling the playing field.

By: bumbucha

bumbucha — Sun, 01 May 2016 22:52:35 +0000

agree w/Aaron, takes time to get aclimated to wearing equipment. The day after donning helmets, your neck is sore from lugging a 10 lb helmet. There is a degree of discomfort and getting used to running around w/shoulder pads, pants pads. Your vision is obscured looking thru a facemask, your coach is on you, then you have an opponent facing you who wants to knock the snot out of you. I believe OIA schools have 3 days of practicing w/pads on, teaching fundamentals, before they scrimmage an opponent, a very short window to practice safety. I think the suggestion of top 1/2 and add in, “with controlled tempo” is a thought worth exploring though, the AD’s & HHSAA would never go for that.

By: Homom

Homom — Sun, 01 May 2016 20:45:33 +0000

” This will limit the new kids in getting used to practicing in pads and may actually increase injuries because of the limited training. ”

aaron, you have data for this or are you making this up?

By: The Rim

The Rim — Sun, 01 May 2016 17:16:43 +0000

Great point Aaron, and I will add to that by saying it adds a level of protection for some contact that will take place with or without pads. The issue is full contact and limiting full contact during spring…it shouldn’t be no-pad rule.

By: Nick Abramo

Nick Abramo — Sun, 01 May 2016 10:19:50 +0000

In reply to Aaron Kaapuni. good point Aaron

By: Aaron Kaapuni

Aaron Kaapuni — Sun, 01 May 2016 08:28:07 +0000

I understand the no-pad rule for spring ball, but I do not understand how this will not hurt the kids later on during the training season. This will limit the new kids in getting used to practicing in pads and may actually increase injuries because of the limited training. The kids should at the very least use helmet and shoulder pads. There’s a big difference from using pads to no pads.