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Football teams taking off helmets to decrease concussions

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Requiring football players to practice without helmets may actually be the next step towards protecting student athletes from concussion.

In 2012 the New Hampshire Legislature passed a law requiring schools to educate students about the risk of concussion and to remove students with a suspected concussion from play. However, the number of concussions, particularly in football, remains a concern for public health advocates.

According to a recent study from the University of New Hampshire (UNH), football practice without helmets reduces the number of concussions. 

The idea is that practicing without a helmet requires players to change their form so as to protect their heads.

However, some may argue that removing helmets is not necessary to teach athletes to tackle in different ways, and the helmet is intended to improve safety.

The UNH study used football players at the college level. The study is now being repeated with high school players.

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