Abstract: A face guard 10 employs a plurality of tubular curved members 12. The geometric configuration of the tubular members 12 is suitable for a football line backer's helmet face guard. The tubular curved members 12 are slightly indented where they cross another tubular member 12. Each tubular curved member 12 is slightly tapered at its ends. The tapered ends 14 reduce the need for grinding and facilitates easy coating of the tubular curved members with a synthetic resin 18. The tapered ends 14 are welded to other tapered ends 14 of other tubular curved members 12. Beneath the synthetic resin coating 18 is an inner metal curved tube 22. The curved metal tube 22 has a wall thickness T1 and an outer diameter D1. The outer diameter D1 and inner wall thickness T1 are a function of at least three ratios. The ratios provide a tubular member design that protects the user from frontal and side impact forces and reduces fatigue of the user while providing a relatively unobstructed field of vision for the user.