Types of Padding in Football Helmets

Since 1970, the National Operating Committee on Standards in Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) has provided regulations and testing of football helmets and other sporting equipment. NOCSAE's stringent standards helped reduce the number of head injuries in football by 74 percent over the next 20 years. NOCSAE-approved football helmets consist of several types of foam and air pads.

  1. Front Padding

    • The front pad provides protection against damage to the face and skull incurred by head-on collisions. The front pad is located in the front of the helmet just above the face mask. This pad is typically made of stiff protective foam.

    Jaw Padding

    • Each football helmet contains two jaw pads, located next to the side of the face below the player's earlobes. The jaw pad is made from a less stiff, spongy foam which maximizes the cushion the jaw experiences upon collision. The softer nature of these pads also allows for a more comfortable fit around the jaw area.

    Back Padding

    • The football helmet is equipped with pads to protect the top and back of the head. These pads are typically made of very stiff foams, such as vinyl nitrate or polypropylenes. These stiff foams are critical for reducing the damage from direct hits that could otherwise cause hematomas or fractures. These foam pads come in several pieces designed to protect the back, neck, sides of the helmet, and the crown.

    Air Padding

    • Modern football helmets contain air pads, which are filled from an inflation inlet in the back of the helmet. These inflatable pads provide a greater degree of comfort and also a snugger helmet fit.