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Technology Improvements Needed
as Player Skills Increase
It's an issue of sticks.
In the early days many thought of the game only as a "rehabilitation sport." True, it's rehab benefits to the new amputee are many, varied and undeniable.
In the early days a straight forward kick was pretty much the rule. But now former professionals and near professionals grace our ranks. Players around the world have become much faster and much more agile.
Behind the back aerial heel kicks, Pele style bicycle kicks, and full horizontal body blasts are now routine.
The crutches can't take it. As player skills and speed increase, so does metal fatigue.
Standard forearm crutches were designed as temporary aids at a walking pace. They weren't designed for the rigors of international sport competition.
Five Broken in the Early Matches
Forearm crutches snapped like kindling in the early rounds of this year's tournament. England was particularly hard hit, but so were the US and Russia.
Even the underarm crutches used by some of the veteran players cracked, were welded and taped, and cracked again, as in the photo at left.
Brazil Leads Innovation
The Brazilian metals industry team is leading the way with a new crutch style - a solid shank custom cut for each player.
Free of the adjustment holes in off-the-shelf medical supply equipment, the new Brazilian sticks seem to be holding up better than those used by the rest of the world. But, though the shafts seem to be hold up well, the Brazilian cuffs snap off with alarming regularity.
Players are getting bigger, faster, and stronger. Six-foot, 200-pound players are no longer exceptions. Players who have more more body mass which require better, more technologically advanced equipment.
Inquiries are being made of US industry. Hopefully the sport will find a manufacturer with the technical skill and the will to help bring the game's equipment on pace with player skill and desire.
And whoever fills the need, with not only have the blessing of the players, they'll also have a dedicated, perhaps world-wide market.
Rick Hofmann, Publisher
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Even underarm crutches take a beating as skill and speed increase.
