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Jaan Kenbrovin 3:54 Mon Jul 18
Heading ban for under-12s to be trialled

A ban on heading by players in matches at under-12 level is to be trialled by the Football Association.

It follows research suggesting former footballers are more likely to die from brain disease than other people.

The FA has been granted approval from the International Football Association Board to introduce the trial in England from the start of the 2022-23 season.

It will be co-ordinated with the county FA network, leagues, clubs and schools throughout the country.

"Should the trial be a success, the aim is to then remove deliberate heading from all football matches at U12 level and below from the 2023-24 season," an FA statement said.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62208661

Far Cough 6:53 Mon Jul 18
Re: Heading ban for under-12s to be trialled

http://prints.colorsport.co.uk/football/bobby-charlton-leaps-head-ball-1964-5-season-6490911.html#openModal

Fifth Column 6:47 Mon Jul 18
Re: Heading ban for under-12s to be trialled

There is already a ban on heading in training at this age group so the ban in matches won't actually change a lot.

There is such a lack of study in this field and I think it's a reasonable precaution to stop pre-teens heading whilst studies are ongoing and the evidence remains unclear.

And it doesn't have to mean the match is played below head height.

Almost no-one heads the ball in girls football to a ridiculous extent. However, this does mean that some girls like my daughter can control a goal kick from the keeper on her chest and bring it down and play.

Chrisel 6:31 Mon Jul 18
Re: Heading ban for under-12s to be trialled

For those saying that the weight of the ball makes it less dangerous...

The fact they are lighter message they travel faster, it is the sorted that causes more damage. Energy (force) is mass times speed squared, so they report that the damage is now greater with lights balls.

Now that I've written that, personally, I would've thought whatever the input, the output would be the same so it doesn't really matter. The strength of the kick is the only important factor.

Any Old Iron 6:28 Mon Jul 18
Re: Heading ban for under-12s to be trialled

Amassive over-reaction to a miniscule problem.
Referring to a couple of old pro's who have dementia where there's no proof that heading the ball has caused it doesn't prove anything.

By the way, Bobby Charlton hardly ever headed the ball.

Side of Ham 6:21 Mon Jul 18
Re: Heading ban for under-12s to be trialled

Actually, having read the last few posts I’m inclined to agree with you’s about keeping the ball on the floor. We might actually get some proper footballers come through…

slartibartfast 6:11 Mon Jul 18
Re: Heading ban for under-12s to be trialled

I think it makes sense, and as others have noted, if it improves general technique then all the better.

But if this is part of a continuous trend to eradicate heading in football then I'm not in favour. It should be gradually introduced around the time that kids hit puberty, which is, if I'm not mistaken, the time when your bones begin to thicken and grow stronger.

Jim C 6:00 Mon Jul 18
Re: Heading ban for under-12s to be trialled

Having a work intrest in youth football I'm not surprised.

They banned all heading practise in training for primary school aged children a few years ago, so this was the natural next step.

I can see both sides of the argument but if it makes it safer (even if only slightly which I can see is some people's view) and leads to an improvement in technique on the ground, it can only be a good thing.

Feed Me Chicken 5:38 Mon Jul 18
Re: Heading ban for under-12s to be trialled

We all have to die sometime, if this gets me then so be it and i only ever played semi pro, wouldn’t change it for the world so i doubt any pros would go back and change their career to being a postman or something. But i do agree kids don’t need to be worrying about heading in the early stages no really benefit unless they are 6 foot tall.

Sven Roeder 5:27 Mon Jul 18
Re: Heading ban for under-12s to be trialled

Maybe its not a bad thing for kids up to the age of 12 to just play with the ball on the ground.
Work on their touch and skills rather than have some more developed oaf dominate because they are larger.
Plenty of time to work on skills in heading the ball when they are more developed.

Side of Ham 5:18 Mon Jul 18
Re: Heading ban for under-12s to be trialled

As always all this money in the game and they don't research it further like everyone is saying the ball is a lot lighter these days and rarely soaks up water to make it heavy. They could also make it so under 12's have to wear a headband I'm sure this would be made into some sort of cool fashion for the kids like in basketball etc....but no lets make it 'dangerous' from the get go......

Vexed 5:01 Mon Jul 18
Re: Heading ban for under-12s to be trialled

Yes of course it was heading a ball once or twice a week when they were 11 that did the damage to those professional footballers, not the heading it thousands of times a week when it was their living. Not heavy handed at all this, ruining the beautiful game because 0.01% of people who were lucky enough to be in that 0.000001% that make it to be a professional footballer might come a cropper from it. Ridiculous really.

Side of Ham 5:01 Mon Jul 18
Re: Heading ban for under-12s to be trialled

The first thing to do is to ensure there is a brain to damage, only then can you tell if a ban is needed.....

Gary Strodders shank 4:40 Mon Jul 18
Re: Heading ban for under-12s to be trialled

I remember being given one of those old leather balls with the laces as a kid.
Heading the thing was tough enough but when it got wet it seemed to double in weight.
The lightweight balls of today should be much safer surely so not really in favour of any such ban.
Being knocked out by a stray elbow clash of heads or goalkeepers punch probably far more likely to cause damage although wirhout the repetition of heading.
Will the under 12s play below head height then?

Far Cough 4:15 Mon Jul 18
Re: Heading ban for under-12s to be trialled

Sir Bobby has dementia now, that follows his brother Jackie, team mate Nobby Stiles and Jeff Astle, there's probably something in it? But not with these lightweight ping pong balls they use now

PwoperNaughtyButNot 4:14 Mon Jul 18
Re: Heading ban for under-12s to be trialled

twoleftfeet

It isn’t a contact sport. It’s an evade contact sport. That’s what separates footballers like Messi and Ronaldo and clod hoppers like Vinny Jones and Ben Thatcher

PwoperNaughtyButNot 4:12 Mon Jul 18
Re: Heading ban for under-12s to be trialled

It’s not a bad thing - let the kids learn how to play football whilst kids and then when they are stronger and skulls fully formed they can head the ball.

twoleftfeet 4:12 Mon Jul 18
Re: Heading ban for under-12s to be trialled

Matter of time till it becomes a non contact sport.

PwoperNaughtyButNot 4:11 Mon Jul 18
Re: Heading ban for under-12s to be trialled

Allardyce will be fuming!