Helmets in Women’s Lax? USL, Fans Respond to Heady Debate
Aug 16, 2010
by Matt DaSilva | Lacrosse Magazine Online Staff
An ESPN “E:60″ segment last week examined a reportedly high incidence of concussions in girls’ lacrosse. The sports news magazine show segment, produced by Tom Farrey, featured two injured girls’ high school players from Pittsburgh (Pa.) and suggested that hard helmets should be incorporated into the women’s game.
US Lacrosse, the national governing body of men’s and women’s lacrosse, issued a response Wednesday morning after the segment aired Tuesday night. USL stressed the importance of having properly educated coaches and officials, rather than helmets, in the segment and in its response.
Among points made in its response are:
* Research shows that helmets do not necessarily prevent concussions and that the incidence of concussions in girls’ lacrosse is no higher than other female sports, like soccer.
* USL funds the only lacrosse-specific high school injury study in the country with a larger, more robust sample size than that which was cited in the segment.
* Pittsburgh is a developing lacrosse area with a shortage of properly-trained coaches and officials.
* USL has adjusted rules for the 2010-11 season to include stricter penalties for major fouls, including checks to the head.
* USL is investigating the development of women’s lacrosse-specific manufacturing standards for soft protective headgear, which are allowed within the current rules.
Click here for the full response.
Earlier this year, Lacrosse Magazine Online polled fans for their response to the issue. Should helmets be required in women’s lacrosse? Here’s what some of you said.
