ABOUT GUARDIAN ATHLETICS

Traditional collars function by prohibiting motion. If a player can’t move, they can’t play the game and will not wear it regardless of how well it works. Kato Collar does not inhibit the players motion in any way, allowing for full active range of motion. Instead, it keeps the head from reaching those extreme points where injuries occur after impact of any kind, not just a blow to the head. While providing all the same remedies for neck injuries as legacy collars, its unique design decelerates the helmet after impact by up to 30%. It reduces the forces that are believed to cause concussions.

No, vision, speed, and mobility are not impaired by wearing the collar. The collar enables full range of motion. In fact, players who wore the collar were more confident on the field, and second-guessed hits and plays less because they didn't feel constricted.

No gear will fully eliminate concussions. In fact, no singular aspect of football such as training techniques or protective gear will stop concussions from happening. We believe in an inclusive approach to safety: The right gear, the best training, as well as the football community adopting progressive conversations around the necessary innovations we need to make to the game.

Players enjoy free range of motion until they prepare to engage another player. As the player engages the shoulder pads, the collar is raised up. The deceleration pads start to cradle the helmet, decelerating the head/helmet whether the impact is direct or indirect, acting similar to an airbag in an automobile.

The collar helps prevent the stretching of nerves in the neck and shoulder through deceleration of the head and reducing the distance the head travels during engagement. Players who wore the collar after suffering from burners and stingers in the past immediately experienced less of them and they eventually disappeared altogether.

We have not tested the collar in every shoulder pad. However, the design is vendor agnostic and should be compatible with Adult Small and larger pads, depending on the size of collar you order.

We currently have two sizes. Medium is designed to fit with Adult Small and Medium pads and the Large collar is sized to match adult Large or larger shoulder pads. If you have questions about how to select the right size for you, please contact us.

Yes, we offer different sizes for the deceleration pads. Pads range from a thickness of half-inch and one inch, allowing varying neck lengths. There should be clearance between the helmet and the pads to allow active range of motion (AROM) until engagement. Additionally, it’s also about player preference: Speed and skill positions may want to be completely certain there is no impact on AROM while fielding punts or turning to throw or catch a pass. Please visit the store to order packs of pads.