All headgear to be worn in rugby union must carry an IRB approval logo. Regulation 12 also gives details regarding the testing standards for this headgear. Stiff materials, such as plastics, are forbidden, and buckles are not permitted. The headgear is defined by Regulation 12 of the IRB as being made of soft, thin materials. The traditional scrum cap was constructed of a thin cloth helmet with padding over the ears, held in place by a strap -but modern models are typically made from thin foam. The scrum cap was first used by the Christ's College Finchley's 1st XV, and Eurig Evans is credited with its design. ContentsĪ simpler alternative to a cap, or a head-cap and used by many players, is a thin strip of foam or cloth and electrical tape wrapped around the ears like a head band. Although originally designed for forwards they are now worn by players of all positions, even those who do not play in the scrum. The scrum cap is a form of headgear used by rugby players to protect the ears in the scrum, which can otherwise suffer injuries leading to the condition commonly known as cauliflower ears. We all love seeing a big hit ( like Ozzie Bernard Foley taking a hammering), but we should also make room for encouraging those who display decent technique in the tackle.Occasionally worn headgear in rugby Welsh international lock Jake Ball wearing a scrum cap And this of course helps to reduce injury rates, and makes the sport safer at all levels of the game. This is encouraging because children who are taught correct technique from a young age are more likely to retain safe tackle behaviours if they continue to play rugby. …research has actually found that junior players value tackle training and the time spent on techniques to help reduce injury.
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Which is why initiatives aimed at coaches, teachers and referees should focus on ensuring safe tackling behaviours are adopted and retained by youth players.Ī note to all parents screaming from the sidelines – maybe focus less on telling everyone to pass the ball to your youngster, and more on ensuring their team’s coach is teaching the kids know how to tackle correctly. The Boksmart intervention, for example, resulted in a 40% reduction in catastrophic injuries in a group of junior players.Ĭorrect head placement, using the shoulder, and driving the legs in contact have all been found to be technique factors associated with a reduced risk of a concussive tackle. The two schemes share similar programme structures and aim to educate coaches and referees in an attempt to prevent serious injuries to players. New Zealand has the RugbySmart scheme teaching correct tackle techniques, and here at home we have BokSmart doing the same, and both have shown great success: Here’s a picture of Heinrich Brüssow wearing a scrum cap, only because I think we mismanaged his career and he could have become a Bok legend. Not ideal, but here’s the good news: The research doesn’t say all parents should yank their children from rugga at once, but rather stresses the importance of teaching correct tackle techniques to players of all ages. And that as a result, players may display reckless tackling behaviours that may increase the risk of serious injuries such as concussions. …our new research…found that some rugby players seem to wear protective headgear to give them the confidence not to worry about getting injured. The study was published in BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, and although research has previously shown that headgear isn’t always effective in preventing concussion in minors, this latest study goes deeper. This means that at the youth level, parents may insist on their child wearing headgear in the belief they are helping to reduce the injury risk, when in fact the opposite could be true. …as our recent research shows, wearing protective headgear may actually result in an increased risk of injury. That’s why scrum caps and other forms of headgear are so popular, although a new study published on The Conversation might send a few shudders down the spine. It’s all well and good breaking a bone or pulling a hammy, but when it comes to head injuries no parent wants to mess around. Rugby isn’t for everyone, but if you love the rough and tumble of the sport then you’re resigned to suffering the odd injury. Argentinians Also Say 'Po*s' And Four Other Weekend Rugby Videos.Eddie Jones Explains Himself In Letter To Emma Raducanu."Fresh Summer Breeze To The Tushie": Meet The Guy Who Had His Speedo Signed By Siya.Did You Notice Rassie's Thinly-Veiled Swipe At The Ozzie Coach?.