How to Use the Sortable List
1. Filter Buttons
Use the filter buttons to find the type of document you want, or to see all documents for a certain sport. Set both filters to further refine results.
2. Search Box
Use the Search box to look for documents by document number or by any search term, such as “ND200” or “heart protector.”
3. View A Document
Click on any document title to view the full document. There is no fee to download any document.
More About the Library
In the standards library, you will find performance standards, testing standards, recertification standards, and laboratory procedural guides.
We develop performance standards and testing standards for athletic equipment in the following sports:
- Baseball and softball
- Field hockey
- Football
- Ice hockey
- Lacrosse
- Polo
- Soccer
Performance Standards
Performance standards are specific to a sport equipment type, such as a baseball batter’s helmet. They describe in technical terms how the equipment type is required to perform against impact forces. These standards set the performance criteria for the equipment type. Criteria are used to measure the performance of equipment in lab tests.
Testing Standards
NOCSAE does not perform equipment testing but sets standards for the technical requirements used in testing athletic equipment. Tests simulate hits that athletes experience during play, for example, from other players, falling, or from a flying ball, puck, or stick. Lab technicians, manufacturers, and recertifiers are some of the people who use our testing standards.
A lab technician at Southern Impact Research Center (SIRC) fits a helmet onto a NOCSAE headform before running a drop test.
Recertificaton Standards
NOCSAE does not provide recertification services. Our standards set requirements for recertification testing. Recertification primarily applies to football helmets, lacrosse helmets and faceguards. Some softball and baseball helmets are also eligible for recertification.
Laboratory Guides & Guidelines
Guides and guideline documents are not standards and they are not mandatory. These documents provide additional information about equipment testing.