Football linemen experience more sub-concussive impacts than any position in football and are taught to strike using their hands and extend the arms at initial contact to control the opponent and protect the head and neck, but what happens when a size mismatch occurs?
When a smaller lineman strikes a much larger lineman using the hands and attempts to extend the arms, the size of the larger linemen at the moment of impact can collapse the smaller linemen’s arms often resulting in a helmet to helmet impact or a helmet to shoulder impact. At minimum the impact is sub-concussive if not a whiplash or a worse trauma to the head and neck.
Stabilization of the head and neck is a critical component in high impact safety as demonstrated in performance auto racing where the Hans Device is utilized to “link the driver’s helmet to the collar anchor points and assure that the driver’s head moves with his torso so the neck and skull are not overloaded” (ref #24 – left picture Hans Device).
Using the stabilization concept of the Hans Device the “Hulk Up” technique utilizes the body’s natural reflex protective mechanism to stabilize the head and neck with the torso before and during impact. Learn more from Dr. Jason Moore DC.
The Football Safety Academy agrees wholeheartedly with Chris Nowinski, “high school football linemen do not have the strength in the hands and arms to effectively protect the head and neck during contact as compared to higher level players ” (ref #22), especially when mismatched by size.
The Football Safety Academy again recognizes the Sports Legacy Institute for making football a safer and better game.
Football Linemen Head and Neck Trauma, Strength vs. Size (PART 2)
“To Play SAFER and BETTER Football”
Head Up – Eyes Up – HULK UP!
DISCLAIMER
The Football Safety Academy acknowledges the coach has the responsibility to decide which football techniques should be taught for the well being and safety of his players and there is not one specific technique including the Hulk Shrug Technique or safety device that can completely eliminate the risk of injury from impacts related to football including catastrophic injury and death. To the knowledge of the Football Safety Academy no specific research has been done regarding the Hulk Shrug Technique, however the Football Safety Academy is actively pursuing this goal.