“There’s a risk of injury in any sport, but protective equipment can reduce that risk significantly,” said Steve Rowson, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering and mechanics and the Virginia Tech Helmet lab’s director. “Our job is to get independent, evidence-based information out there to players, coaches, and parents, so that they can choose the equipment that’s most effective…”

The most common head injuries in 7-on-7 football are when two opposing player’s heads collide when both are going for the ball or when players are attempting to break up a pass or make a tag.Gamebreaker headgear is designed to reduce the impact force from contact that may be generated by contact such as head to head, -knee, or -shoulder.

Virginia Tech Helmet Lab created a custom impactor used to test headgear under head-to-head conditions which are known to be associated with the highest risk of concussions in soccer.* The test consisted of two NOCSAE head and neck configurations representing the average male. Headgear was positioned on the heads and impacts were made to the side and back of the head at three different velocities. Each test was performed twice on each sample headgear. The same test was conducted on bare heads (without headgear) to be used as the control scenario. Results of the headgear were compared to the results of the bare head impacts which determined the final STAR rating.

Hard Count Athletics is one of the first organizations in the United States to mandate a soft shell helmet for its athletes’ protection. Helmets must meet the following requirements/standard. As of publishing this standard, only Gamebreaker/Adidas softshell helmets meet the following guidelines.

1. 4-star and 5-star rating from Virginia Tech Lab
2. 95% head coverage (Not including face)
3. NO metal or hard-plastic component parts (Strap buttons, etc.)
4. NO sharp or hard edges, and/or anything that could cause harm to the player wearing headgear or any other player.
5. A non-metallic fully functioning retention system (Chin Strap).
6. Provides $2,000,000 product liability insurance coverage with Hard Count Athletics as named additionally insured

* Virginia Tech Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics laboratory performs testing for tackle football helmets which the NFL, NCAA and NFHS use based on NOCSAE standard requirements. To date ,NOCSAE has not established a standard for 7on7 Football, Soccer or any other field sport utilizing a soft shell helmet.  Currently, NOCSAE is performing the largest field study to date with over 2,000 athletes taking part