Football Shoulder pads. Need advice

wizay · #1 12-09-2010, 02:52 PM

Hi there! Im a 19 year old boy from norway. We have recently started a football team in our town. This great sport is not big in Norway

So, last practice i hit a guy and busted my shoulder, and i think i need a bigger shoulderpad. I have the Schutt XV Flex Skill, and play LB, RB or TE. Should i get a bigger pad (any tips on what kind?) or is it more of a tecnique problem? im 6'3 200lbs...

Thanks

beelzelboss · #2 12-09-2010, 08:57 PM

Well, it could have not been the shoulder pads.

When you hit someone, it's not suppose to be just your shoulder. If it is head on, then you hit with your entire front.

Secondly, if you can wrap your arms up around the guy well, and not let go, you can pretty much just drag him to the ground at your size. That's what I did, worked well. Every once in a while I would do a big hit that hurt, but just ice it and hope for the best.

As far as shoulder pads, if you are hitting that hard, I would look for some thicker ones, but make sure you can still move your arms up above your head.

Jim Campbell · #3 12-09-2010, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizay

Hi there! Im a 19 year old boy from norway. We have recently started a football team in our town. This great sport is not big in Norway

So, last practice i hit a guy and busted my shoulder, and i think i need a bigger shoulderpad. I have the Schutt XV Flex Skill, and play LB, RB or TE. Should i get a bigger pad (any tips on what kind?) or is it more of a tecnique problem? im 6'3 200lbs...

Thanks

having them fitted by someone that knows what's what.....may have to talk to an american...football has a slight following there

wizay · #4 12-10-2010, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beelzelboss

Well, it could have not been the shoulder pads.

When you hit someone, it's not suppose to be just your shoulder. If it is head on, then you hit with your entire front.

Yeah, i remember i put my head way outside of the target and most of the impact came to the shoulder.. Ill look some more at my tecnique. The only i really thought about was not leading with my head, maybe i did that a little too extreme..

Quote:

Originally Posted by beelzelboss

As far as shoulder pads, if you are hitting that hard, I would look for some thicker ones, but make sure you can still move your arms up above your head.

Do you have any recommendation for pads?

()smoke() · #5 12-10-2010, 08:01 AM

it may be hard for many americans to recommend a specific shoulder pad because, for a lot of us, at least in public schools, we were simply fitted for pads by our coaches about a week before pad practice starts, and other than some players/positions requiring 'cowboy collars' or neck rolls, or smaller shoulder pads for QBs and receivers, we just got what was given to us...the brand depended, in our case, on what deals were struck between our program and manufacturer for the years we played, and i can't even recall brands other than maybe riddell--and i spent a lot of time in the field house because my dad was a football coach

others at private schools or more wealthy school districts might have had the opportunity to select specific pads, so maybe someone with that experience will chime in

edit: some of us did wear a 'vest' type shoulder pad beneath the regular shoulder pads--that might help you...most of our LB/DE/Monsters/Rovers wore these and cowboy collar to help

wizay · #6 12-11-2010, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ()smoke()

edit: some of us did wear a 'vest' type shoulder pad beneath the regular shoulder pads--that might help you...most of our LB/DE/Monsters/Rovers wore these and cowboy collar to help

Do you have a link for that kind of vest?

()smoke() · #7 12-11-2010, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizay

Do you have a link for that kind of vest?

the ones we had were black and enclosed with a mesh fabric, but this looks really similar in concept and shape:

http://www.footballamerica.com/Prote...%7C0/index.pro

and a mcdavid 'cowboy collar' really helps to keep the head from snapping back too far:
http://www.mcdavidusa.com/store/inde...ARTMENT_ID=723

hope this helps!

wizay · #8 12-11-2010, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ()smoke()

the ones we had were black and enclosed with a mesh fabric, but this looks really similar in concept and shape:

http://www.footballamerica.com/Prote...%7C0/index.pro

and a mcdavid 'cowboy collar' really helps to keep the head from snapping back too far:
http://www.mcdavidusa.com/store/inde...ARTMENT_ID=723

hope this helps!

Thank you! ill look into that

If anyone got more tips on tackling technique, "hit" me with them

sloasdaylight · #9 12-11-2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ()smoke()

the ones we had were black and enclosed with a mesh fabric, but this looks really similar in concept and shape:

http://www.footballamerica.com/Prote...%7C0/index.pro

and a mcdavid 'cowboy collar' really helps to keep the head from snapping back too far:
http://www.mcdavidusa.com/store/inde...ARTMENT_ID=723

hope this helps!

I was just going to suggest something exactly like this.

Also regarding the OP, how big are your shoulders? How much muscle do you have on them? I had a set of pads like what you've got when I was in HS (bought them myself) and they kept my shoulders pretty well protected, but then again I had a lot of muscle on my frame at the time.

Also how exactly did you mess up your shoulder?

i_got_a_mohawk · #10 12-11-2010, 05:16 PM

I don't play American Football, but I do play a tackling sport (Rugby). There is an element of skill to tackling, I'm sure this transers over to AF aswell, you need to know how to train and know how to tackle someone (so that you hurt them more than you hurt you

)

sloasdaylight · #11 12-11-2010, 07:19 PM

Yea, proper form is essential when you're playing a tackling sport. If not, you're only asking for injury.

wizay · #12 12-12-2010, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sloasdaylight

I was just going to suggest something exactly like this.

Also regarding the OP, how big are your shoulders? How much muscle do you have on them? I had a set of pads like what you've got when I was in HS (bought them myself) and they kept my shoulders pretty well protected, but then again I had a lot of muscle on my frame at the time.

Also how exactly did you mess up your shoulder?

Dont know how big my shoulders are, okey size I think. I lift weight regulary. When I hitted the guy, I went in with almost just my shoulder. I remember i was kinda worried for my head or something.. I kinda went in with the front side of the shoulder, so the pads kinda whent back a little, like slid up and back. Maybe i should hit more with the "top" of the shoulder?

Thanks guys. Love this sport

**Vorago** · #13 12-12-2010, 12:53 PM

Maybe you're not going low enough?

Riverrunsred · #14 12-12-2010, 12:57 PM

Ideally you want to try and implant your face mask in your opponents chest, wrap him up and drive him back, never lead with your shoulder. And always remember this: if you wrap up a ball carriers legs, he WILL go down.....you have my money back guarantee.

**Vorago** · #15 12-12-2010, 01:01 PM

I agree, wrapping your arms around his legs, preferably hitting from the front, will be more effective than doing a shouldercheck. Also, that way you're less likely to injure yourself.

wizay · #16 12-12-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vorago

Maybe you're not going low enough?

Im like 6'3 so that can be the case, yes.

Thanks all of you, now I have many things to try out at the next practice

Pilgrim · #17 12-12-2010, 03:53 PM

Make sure that you have the right kind of shoulder pads. The pads for linemen and defensive players like linebackers are bigger and stronger than the pads used by quarterbacks, receivers and defensive cornerbacks. It could be that you had a lighter-duty set of pads than appropriate.

Here's a Google search with many good links:
http://www.google.com/search?q=how+t...ient=firefox-a

This is one of the links - specifically about fitting pads:
http://www.adamsusa.com/FittingInfo/ShoulderPad3-L.pdf

i_got_a_mohawk · #18 12-12-2010, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizay

Im like 6'3 so that can be the case, yes.

Thanks all of you, now I have many things to try out at the next practice

I'm 6ft4 and can get my tackles in just above the knees, lock in then drop them by bucking the knee. Certainly sounds like a case of just getting used to smashing people

sloasdaylight · #19 12-12-2010, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizay

Dont know how big my shoulders are, okey size I think. I lift weight regulary. When I hitted the guy, I went in with almost just my shoulder. I remember i was kinda worried for my head or something.. I kinda went in with the front side of the shoulder, so the pads kinda whent back a little, like slid up and back. Maybe i should hit more with the "top" of the shoulder?

Thanks guys. Love this sport

Make sure your pads are secured tight enough around you. You don't want them moving very much when you make contact.

mwm70 · #20 12-15-2010, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sloasdaylight

Yea, proper form is essential when you're playing a tackling sport. If not, you're only asking for injury.

Amen. Tackling form should be practiced EVERY day!! I coach youth football and we work on this skill at the beginning of every practice. Begin at walking speed with form and fit and slowly progress to a jog. DO NOT try and emulate an NFL player. Very few tackle and the "highlights" usually show big hits not proper form tackling.

Here is a link to some of the basics that will make sure you are started right:
http://www.usafootball.com/resource-...php?id=16&p=29 Good Luck!