Coaching Tip:  Helmet Forward

It never fails; in every race, someone wears his/her bike helmet backwards. Hopefully a referee, supporter, or other triathlete tells the athlete before s/he leaves transition and heads out onto the bike course. The helmet doesn’t fit right backwards, but that’s the topic of another blog post, so you want to make sure you’re wearing it properly, facing forward.

With the pressure of a race and the common confusion in transition, it can be easy to become flustered and not put on the helmet properly. One way to ensure it goes on your head facing forward is to look at the helmet before placing it on your head. When the helmet is right side up (the way you will put it on your head), you shouldn’t see your race number to then place it on your head. The number will be facing forward. Put on the helmet, and the number will be forward, which is the proper way.

It is important to be aware of USA Triathlon cycling regulations if you are racing a USAT sanctioned race, and just for safety in general. In regards to the helmet, the chin strap must be buckled basically from taking your bike off the rack to re-racking it in transition (see below and the link provided for more information). Better to be safe than sorry – literally and to avoid a penalty.

USA Triathlon Competitive Rules
5.9 Helmets.

 (a) Type of Helmet. All participants shall wear a protective head cover, undamaged and unaltered, which meets or exceeds the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and which is clearly labeled by the manufacturer as satisfying such standards.  Helmets manufactured prior to March 10, 1999 must meet or exceed the safety standards of (i) the American National Standard Institute (ANSI Z-90.4), (ii) The Snell Memorial Foundation (Protective Headgear for Bicycle Users), or (iii) ASTM F-1446 or F-1447, and which is clearly labeled by the manufacturer as satisfying such standards. Removal of helmet cover, if required for that helmet to meet such safety standards, shall constitute an impermissible alteration in violation of this Section 5.9(a). Any violation of this Section 5.9(a) shall result in disqualification.

(b) Chin Strap Violations. The helmet must be fastened before the participant first mounts the bicycle, at all times when the participant is on the bicycle, and must not be unfastened until the participant has dismounted. Any violation of this Section 5.9(b) which occurs while the participant is in the transition area shall result in a variable time penalty. Any other violation of this Section shall result in disqualification. This Section 5.9(b) shall be enforced at all times while at the event site on race day.