1 Answer

Each position has a different type of face mask to balance protection and visibility. 

Open-cage

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  Open-cage face masks have two horizontal bars that start under the player's nose. Several vertical bars extend down from the horizontal ones, but none extend up. Open-cage masks give the player the widest possible field of vision. For that reason, quarterbacks, wide receivers, defensive backs and running backs prefer open-cage face masks. Kickers and punters use them too, though some kickers will use a single-bar face mask since they rarely need to worry about physical contact.

  
  

  
  
  
  

Closed-cage

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  Closed-cage masks have at least two horizontal bars that form near the player's nose, and a single or double vertical bar that extends up to split the mask's top portion in halves. Linemen always use closed-cages. They do not need the extra field of vision like a skill player does, and they are constantly engaged in face-to-face combat with opponents. The closed-cage offers far more protection in scrimmages than an open-cage helmet.

  
  

  
  
  
  

Read more: Football Facemask Types | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8383538_football-facemask-types.html#ixzz2DGv37IHH