Football helmets and facemasks can be
an expensive investment, so it's vital to your health, and to your
wallet, that you buy the correct fitting helmet, and similarly
fitting facemask for that helmet.
It's important to know that the major football
manufacturers, Schutt and Riddell, design their facemasks to only
fit their specific helmets. This means, that if you buy a Schutt
football helmet, you're
going to need a Schutt facemask. The same goes for Riddell. If you
get a Riddell 360 helmet, only Riddell 360 facemasks will fit on the
shell.
Some facemasks, like the newer and
more advanced 360, Schutt ION 4D, and Vengeance facemasks are
designed specifically for their respective helmets, and will NOT fit
any other shell.
Other facemasks will fit a variety of
shells. Below is a short list of popular helmets, and the facemasks
they will fit:
A facemask's bar configuration determines
its performance, protection, and appropriate position on the field.
For instance, a facemask with a lot of
cross bars higher across the eyes is going to protect the player, but it's
also going to obscure visibility. That probably wouldn't help a
quarterback or wide receiver too much, who rely on their wide field of
view to get the job done.
On the other hand, a more open bar
configuration would allow for great visibility, but wouldn't protect the
mouth and eyes from hands and fingers. Lineman would be in a lot of
trouble if they wore them, and had the other line's hands in their face.
The facemask, then, has to balance
protection and performance. The more closed your bar configuration, the
less visibility you have, but the more your face is protected. So to
determine which facemask is right for your position, it's a matter of
finding the bar configuration that gives you exactly the protection and
visibility you need.
See below for
a list of each facemask configuration, and their suggested positions.
Facemask choice can be a confusing
venture. Most of them look the same, and all the acronyms can get
outright maddening. But thankfully, we're here to clear up all of that
confusion.
Below, you'll find a list of each
facemask bar configuration, its related acronym, an explanation of what
it means, and a list of the positions they're designed for:
Schutt Facemasks:
ROPO Reinforced Oral Protection
Only Designed for: RB, WR, DE, TE
Facemasks are typically made with one of three types of metal,
carbon steel, stainless steel, or titanium. These metals determine the facemask’s durability, weight, performance, and ultimately, price.
Carbon Steel Facemasks$: The industry standard. They’re the heaviest facemasks, and relatively inexpensive, which makes them great for beginners and youth players.
Stainless Steel Facemasks $$ : Noticeably lighter than carbon steel, but are also slightly more expensive. That drop in weight will give more advanced players an edge, and improve speed, so we recommend them for more serious youth and high school players, as well as the casual adult player.
Titanium facemasks $$$: Far and away the lightest and strongest facemask in the game, titanium gives players a notable on-field advantage, keeping them faster, more agile, and better conditioned for long games. Titanium is actually 60% lighter than your traditional carbon steel facemask, and much stronger than steel. It’s also the most expensive facemask in the game, meant for college players, NFL pros, and maybe some high school players with their sights set on the pros.
Modern, advanced facemasks designed for
next-generation helmets offer improved performance and protection for
the serious youth, high school, college, or pro football player. From
innovative facemask designs to the latest in flexible metals, modern
facemasks work to absorb more impact force while keeping you lightweight
and fast on the field.
Energy Wedge Faceguard
Found exclusively on the Schutt ION 4D,
the unique energy wedge system directly integrates the facemask into the
helmet using innovative rubber sleeves and a port system on the helmet
shell. The facemask inserts into the helmet shell, turning into a shock
absorber of sorts, absorbing 15% more impact energy from direct frontal
impacts, than traditional facemasks. The facemask itself is also
stronger, and the design allows for a wider field of view, for improved
vision on the field.
Lightweight Facemasks
Developed by Riddell, and found on
advanced helmets like the Revolution Speed and 360, lightweight
facemasks deliver the strength of a traditional steel facemask, with a
14% reduction in weight, for improved mobility, agility, and speed.
These facemasks offer the strength of steel, and the lightweight
performance of a titanium facemask, at less than half the cost!
Flex Facemasks
Found in both Schutt and Riddell
next-generations facemasks, developed uniquely for the Schutt Vengeance
and Riddell 360, flexible facemasks offer incredible protection, with a
slight amount of flex in the metal. This flex absorbs more impact
energy, preventing this force from hitting the face and head.
Developed by Riddell, and found on
advanced helmets like the Revolution Speed and 360, lightweight
facemasks deliver the strength of a traditional steel facemask, with a
14% reduction in weight, for improved mobility, agility, and speed.
These facemasks offer the strength of steel, and the lightweight
performance of a titanium facemask, at less than half the cost!
Flex Facemasks
