Nicole Schafter
The Paw Print
One of the largest debates in women’s sports regards the proposal “Should helmets be required for High School and collegiate women’s lacrosse programs?” The reason this has become a well-known debate in the world of athletics is because of the high amount of head injuries females are experiencing at a younger age. Some members of NOCSAE argue that the implementation of helmets would reduce the risk of head injury because that is the sole purpose of helmets.
Why are they required in male sports such as lacrosse, football and hockey? They say it will help create a safer game play. Ultimately, safety is the largest concern in regards to any and all sports.
The counter argument that other members of NOCSAE present is when and if helmets are implemented, it will promote more aggressive behavior and there will be a disregard for already in place safety protocols because “the athletes are wearing helmets.”
Also they believe helmets will ruin the traditional aspect of women’s lacrosse, and that soon after helmets are required, 10 years down the road the new argument would be to fully pad the female athletes. Steve Stenersen, the president of U.S. Lacrosse says he doesn’t want to “upset the balance between safety and game integrity, or bring some unintended consequence.” As of right now, soft shelled helmets are currently allowed during games but are not required. Many girls chose to wear them because of preexisting head injuries and they claim the soft shelled helmet makes them feel safer, yet it doesn’t provoke them to be more aggressive.
I believe overall that no matter what safety protocols are implemented, whether it be safety equipment or rules and penalties, there will always be an element of danger in the world of sports because of the competitive environment and our basic nature to be aggressive. It’s Darwins theory “Survival of the fittest” at its prime.
So due to this competitive nature, helmets should become a requirement because of the amount of head injuries they do prevent. The safety penalties women’s lacrosse has in place already should remain with the addition of helmets, the removal of the penalties would allow for more aggressive actions because there would be no consequence. Softball players wear helmets (despite their limited contact) and their aggression level is directly correlated with their desire to win, not with the use of helmets for more safety.
I have personally seen a young girl’s arm snap in half from blocking a shot on goal and I firmly believe that if that same shot was aimed towards her head, she would have died. A helmet could prevent that uncertain death, and I’m more than sure it would prevent a significant amount of head injuries through the years to come.
These helmets don’t have to be the hard shell with a face guard that the men are required to wear but something that is adequate enough to prevent or lessen the amount of head injuries that can occur.
I firmly believe that this will allow the finesse of the game to continue while still maintaining safety as the number one priority in sports.
What’s Been Said…