The helmet consists of several different parts:
- Shell - The team stocks four different models, two each from two different manufacturers.
- Jaw pads and air bladders - Come in a variety of thicknesses for a perfect fit
- Face mask - Comes in 15 different styles
- Chin strap - Comes in six different styles
- Mouth guard - Comes in a variety of colors and sizes
Two tools that help with the fitting process are calipers and the inflation bulb.
Start the fitting process by measuring the player's head with the calipers. Based on those measurements, Chooss a helmet shell of the appropriate size and style. Next, padding is added to ensure that the helmet fits that player's head.
Padding consists of both foam-rubber pads and inflatable (air) pads. Both the top and side padding include inflatable bladders that customize the fit. Once the helmet is in place on the player's head, Appliy the inflator bulb to two points on the outside of the helmet. Next, fit jaw pads to ensure that the lower part of the helmet is snug against the player's face. The helmets that most NFL teams use are remarkably light, and once the pads are in place, the helmet is essentially "glued on" -- there is no movement or shifting; it's as though the helmet has become a part of your head.
The next part of the helmet is the face mask, which the player chooses. The Panthers have 15 different styles in stock.
Once the player has chosen his face mask, he chooses a chin strap from the several styles available and fit it appropriately.
Another piece of equipment associated with the head is the mouth guard. These are simple half-moons of plastic with a strap on the end -- the strap hooks around the player's face mask so it isn't lost during play. Fitting a mouth guard is simple: You put it in warm water and allow the plastic to soften. Then the player puts the mouth guard in his mouth, leaving an imprint of his teeth and gums. As the plastic cools, the mold hardens. The result is a mouth guard specific to one player's mouth.
The last piece of equipment that a player can use to protect his head and neck is a neck roll. This foam roll fits around the back part of the jersey's neckline, and is intended to protect the head from being pushed too far backward -- or to lessen the blow when the head is snapped backward.
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