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If American football was changed such that concussions were no more common than say, baseball or basketball, would it still be recognized by fans as American football? What would you accept and not accept as changes?
While the focus is on the pros, and college to some extent, more reliable data are available from the larger base of youth sports.
Quote: Basketball’s numbers are inflated, of course, by the large numbers of participants; in terms of individual risk, concussion rates among 12- to 17-year-olds are highest for ice hockey (29 per 10,000 players), followed by football (27), soccer (8), basketball (4) and baseball (3).
Source: http://braininjury.blogs.com/braininjury/2010/09/sports-concussion-not-limited-to-football-basketball-found-to-be-second-leading-cause-of-concussions.html
It would be a different sport. It would become more like rugby - if I wanted to watch rugby, I'd watch rugby.
Use of force is a big part of American football -- take physical force away from football and you have a different game, not football.
This isn't something new. It's been long known that football players have other physical problems as affect of playing -- they develop arthritis, dementia. Players know the risks, fans love the physical nature of the sport. It's just not realistic to pretend you're going to take away violence while preserving the game.
I suspect high school football is doomed for this reason - insurance companies are beginning to learn that football isn't something to be insured without extreme premiums.
Originally posted by JS357Actually, I was hoping that steroid use might evolve in football to the point that actual arms and legs might come flying off at any given second. It might even get me to watch pro ball which I have, for the most part, given up on. 😛
If American football was changed such that concussions were no more common than say, baseball or basketball, would it still be recognized by fans as American football? What would you accept and not accept as changes?
While the focus is on the pros, and college to some extent, more reliable data are available from the larger base of youth sports.
Quote: ...[text shortened]... ncussion-not-limited-to-football-basketball-found-to-be-second-leading-cause-of-concussions.html
Originally posted by JS357The only way to "change" that would to be do away w/the sport. Its a violent sport. And we love it. Same w/boxing. I noticed there were no stats on concussions from boxing. Concussions are gonna happen. If I had a dollar for every concussion I ever had I would be a rich man!😕
If American football was changed such that concussions were no more common than say, baseball or basketball, would it still be recognized by fans as American football? What would you accept and not accept as changes?
While the focus is on the pros, and college to some extent, more reliable data are available from the larger base of youth sports.
Quote: ...[text shortened]... ncussion-not-limited-to-football-basketball-found-to-be-second-leading-cause-of-concussions.html
The right way to limit concussions in American Football is to make intentional head contact illegal.
Concussions will always be an occupational hazzard for certain positions (mostly the skill positions), but the number of concussions can be limited.
Football was not hurt by making chop blocks illegal. Football was not hurt when it make spearing illegal. Football was not hurt when roughing the passer was introduced.
Football just needs to not make stupid rules like saying you have to make a move after catching the ball to actually catch a ball or perhaps making all helmet to helmet collisions a defensive penalty.
Originally posted by EladarTrue. They have started with this already - they are now enforcing a rule now that they were lax on before to avoid helmet to helmet collisions.
The right way to limit concussions in American Football is to make intentional head contact illegal.
Concussions will always be an occupational hazzard for certain positions (mostly the skill positions), but the number of concussions can be limited.
Football was not hurt by making chop blocks illegal. Football was not hurt when it make spearing illeg ...[text shortened]... to actually catch a ball or perhaps making all helmet to helmet collisions a defensive penalty.
They can test out different rules with respect to this at times and then make the rule permanent assuming it doesn't actually have any bad side effects to the game or just doesn't seem to do anything.
Agreed, though I doubt this will bring the number of concussions to basketball levels -- the question the O.P. posed.
I have trouble seeing how that could be accomplished without far more restrictive changes.
Well, at least on a pro & college level. I really have no idea if intentional head contact is a problem at a high school level, I would suspect not, but it's been a long time since I've watched any high school football.
Originally posted by gambit3LOL picture that! IMO that would only encourage helmet to (face) helmet contact.
Coach Paterno suggested that the facemask be removed to cut down on helmet to helmet tackling.
Seriously, ban the helmets all together. That would cut back on that style of tackling all together.
I admit the helmet does protect the head somewhat,not the neck and does not prevent concussions.
If any thing it is dangerous and causes more injuries then it prevents.
I have no stats on that. Just my observation from my personal experience on the grid iron.
Originally posted by gambit3Someone suggested a similar idea in Hockey - that if no one wore helmets then people would be more careful since they knew that their head was unprotected and if they wore a helmet then they are protected so it is ok to hit them.
Coach Paterno suggested that the facemask be removed to cut down on helmet to helmet tackling.
There's a fraction of truth to it, but I don't believe it would actually solve the problem. If people are that careful then it will slow down the game and people want the game to be a bit harder hitting. That incentive to push the game to be faster and harder hitting will still be there so there will be people trying to push the limits.
I think the best way to approach it is to find better technologies to help make helmets and equipment that will protect better and to create and enforce rules that will make players keep their aggressive play in check.
Originally posted by utherpendragonA deliberate helmet to face impact could result in a charge of second degree battery with intent and a unsafe work environment charge.
LOL picture that! IMO that would only encourage helmet to (face) helmet contact.
Seriously, ban the helmets all together. That would cut back on that style of tackling all together.
I admit the helmet does protect the head somewhat,not the neck and does not prevent concussions.
If any thing it is dangerous and causes more injuries then it ...[text shortened]... .
I have no stats on that. Just my observation from my personal experience on the grid iron.
The first testicular guard, the "Cup", was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first hockey helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important
Or so the internet urban legend claims go.
If it ain't true, it oughta be.
Originally posted by Sam The ShamLOL
The first testicular guard, the "Cup", was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first hockey helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important
Or so the internet urban legend claims go.
If it ain't true, it oughta be.
Originally posted by joneschrAre you saying there is no physical force in rugby ?
It would be a different sport. It would become more like rugby - if I wanted to watch rugby, I'd watch rugby.
Use of force is a big part of American football -- take physical force away from football and you have a different game, not football.
This isn't something new. It's been long known that football players have other physical problems as af ...[text shortened]... e beginning to learn that football isn't something to be insured without extreme premiums.