Okay so this rugby helmet thing? I totally blew it off at first. Big mistake. Let me walk you through how it went down, ’cause maybe you’re thinking the same dumb thoughts I was.
Starting Out All Cocky
Right, so our local club started a beginners touch rugby thing. Sounds harmless, yeah? First few sessions were basically jogging, passing drills, maybe a light tackle or two. I showed up in my old running gear and a cap. Saw a couple guys with these weird helmets on – looked kinda like scrum caps, but bulkier. Me? I figured they were just being overly cautious. “It’s touch rugby!” I told myself. “How hard can it be? Save the money.”
Reality Check… With My Face
Then we ramped up the intensity. Suddenly it wasn’t just gentle tagging. People were moving fast, changing direction sharp. During one chaotic play, chasing a loose ball, me and another guy went for it at the same time.
WHAM.
Not even a tackle, just pure accidental collision. My forehead smacked straight into the top of his skull. Stars. Actual stars. I stumbled back, saw double for a second. My cap? Long gone. My head? Ringing like a church bell. That was Lesson One learned the hard way: Accidental collisions are REALLY common, even before proper tackling starts. Your head is not safe by default out there.
The Hits Keep Coming… Literally
Shook it off, went back in. Got tagged hard a few plays later. Player went low, I stumbled forward over him, caught an elbow right on the ear as I went down. Hurt like hell. Felt like someone punched me. My ear was red hot and throbbing all evening. That’s when I understood point number two: Head impacts aren’t just forehead smashes. Ears, jaw, the sides of your head? Very vulnerable. A helmet cushions those spots.
Slipping, Tripping, and Sweaty Problems
Week after, it rained. Pitch turned into a mudbath. Running hard, made a sharp cut, foot slid out. Went down hard, slamming the back of my head onto the wet turf. Knocked the wind out of me too. Even when it wasn’t wet, getting sweaty was a menace. Sweat in the eyes? You blink, you miss someone cutting you off, you trip over your own feet or someone else’s. Point number three drilled home: It’s slippery and chaotic. Falls happen constantly, and landing head first hurts. A helmet gives you a little barrier between your skull and the dirt.
The Guy Who Knew Too Much
There was this one guy, always talking technique. We played a practice match, he comes charging at me yelling instructions. Meant well, I guess? SMACK. His forehead absolutely drilled my nose as he leaned in to demonstrate something mid-play. Blood everywhere. Thankfully not broken, just felt like it. Lesson number four slapped me in the face (literally): You cannot control everyone else. Doesn’t matter how good you are. Other players might be inexperienced, unpredictable, clumsy, or overly enthusiastic. Their heads are flying weapons you need to protect yourself against.
The Final Straw That Wasn’t Mine
After my busted nose, I finally broke down and bought one – a basic rugby helmet. Felt weird at first, like overkill. But the very next week, playing touch in the park, saw a newer guy get caught awkwardly trying to dodge someone. Got flipped slightly, landed hard on his shoulder and his head whipped sideways, smacking the ground with a nasty crack. He wasn’t wearing one. Went quiet, looked dizzy, had to sit out the rest of the session. He seemed okay later, but it looked scary. Point number five, crystal clear: Things go sideways FAST. Even routine plays can turn awkward in a split second. That head protection might be the difference between walking off with a headache and something far worse. Seeing it happen right there? That convinced me for good.
So yeah, that’s my journey from “Nah, don’t need one” to “Why the heck didn’t I get this sooner?” It’s not about being soft. It’s about realizing the game throws a lot of unpredictable crap at your head, way beyond just tackles. Protect it.
