Underage Heading

UNDERAGE HEADING

© CoachingAmericanSoccer.com^®

There is serious and important debate regarding the appropriate age at which to introduce heading to young soccer players in order to ensure the highest degree of safety to developing bodies, without banning the skill altogether.

One of the more dramatic and challenging skills in soccer is “heading” where the ball is literally struck and re-directed with the head.  It is a technique that requires great determination, balance, and timing.  When introduced properly and coached correctly – on a graduated basis and with proper instruction – heading is a unique and integral part of the game.

Although a definitive scientific study does not yet appear to have been done with regard to youth heading in soccer, concussion studies and logic dictates that growing children should not be heading and that heading should be limited for older youth.

The United States Soccer Federation (US Soccer, US Youth Soccer) has issued guidance on youth heading, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) is in the process of conducting trials, and both national and regional youth organizations have implemented procedures for practices and games (“Local Rules.”)

It should be noted that there is an interesting nuance associated with the terminology involved in this subject.  “Underage” heading is associated with a generalized agreement regarding a loose determination of the physical human development of youth based on chronological age.

“Deliberate” heading is associated with a conscious, intentional act to strike the ball, or a failure to get out of the way when given sufficient time and space to do so.  “Unintentional” heading is a situation where the ball strikes the player and the player does not have sufficient reaction time to get out of the way.

US Youth Soccer

In US youth soccer, heading rules vary by age group to minimize concussion risks.  For players 10 and under, heading is banned in both practices and games.  For players aged 11-13, heading is limited to 30 minutes total per week in practice, with a maximum of 15-20 headers per player, per week. There are no restrictions on heading in games for this age group.  Players 14 and older have no restrictions on heading.

These rules are part of U.S. Soccer’s concussion initiative, implemented in 2016, to reduce the risk of head injuries, particularly concussions, in young soccer players. Concussion studies have shown a correlation between repeated head impacts, even at low levels, and potential long-term health risks.

If a player in the restricted age groups deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team.  Referees have been instructed to award an indirect free kick to the opposing team if a player 10 or younger deliberately heads the ball in a game.  The indirect free kick is to be taken from the spot of the offense.  If the offense occurs within the goal area, the free kick is taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.  Neither cautions nor send-offs are issued for heading infractions related to these rules.

The IFAB

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved a trial to ban deliberate heading in matches for children aged 12 and under in England. This trial, which started in the 2022-23 season, aims to gather data and evidence to support a potential permanent rule change to remove deliberate heading from all matches at these age levels. The trial is being conducted in England under the auspices of the Football Association (FA), with the US also having similar initiatives.

The FA has been granted permission by IFAB to introduce a trial to remove deliberate heading in football matches at U12 level and below in England.   The trial is motivated by the potential link between football and neurodegenerative diseases, with the goal of mitigating risks associated with heading the ball.  The FA is phasing out deliberate heading over three seasons, starting with U7-U9 in 2024/25, U10 in 2025/26, and U11 in 2026/27.  If a player deliberately heads the ball, the opposing team will be awarded an indirect free kick. If the infraction occurs in the penalty area, the free kick will be taken from the nearest sideline.  The following is the trial information from the IFAB:

“BAN ON DELIBERATE HEADING”

“Background to the trial

There are concerns about the potential negative impact on players’ short- and long-term health/welfare with regard to potential head injuries resulting from:

• deliberately heading the ball
• being accidentally hit on the head with the ball (especially unexpectedly or from short range)
• attempts to head the ball (especially ‘aerial challenges’) that lead to the head making contact with
  • another player’s body (elbow, head, etc.)
  • the ground
  • a goalpost

These concerns are exacerbated when children are involved, as their bodies, brains and motor skills are still developing and they may not have the physiological strength or the expertise to reduce potential risks. Consequently, some football authorities have already introduced restrictions on heading in practice/training for younger players and it is therefore logical to extend such restrictions to matches.

Although a ban on deliberate heading may remove some risks, it might also increase others, e.g. players trying to kick ‘high’ balls, which could result in the kicker being injured (e.g. by falling awkwardly) or injuring another player by kicking them in the head or upper body.

Therefore, decisions about heading bans must take into account the relative risks of heading at different ages, whether a ban inadvertently results in other risks and the major impact that banning heading at all levels would have on the way football is played.

Considering the importance of this matter, The IFAB has approved a trial to investigate the effects of ‘deliberate heading’ becoming an offence punishable by an indirect free kick.* The trial will be conducted in competitions and matches at U-12 level and below, where there are restrictions on heading in practice/training.

*It was felt that in the initial stages, a direct free kick (and especially a penalty for a header in the penalty area) would be too harsh for such young players.

Trial protocol

The trial protocol has been approved by The IFAB and must be used in its entirety. No variations are allowed except as outlined in the protocol.

Participation and requirements

The trial protocol must be used in full by all participating competitions. Confederations and national FAs (on behalf of the competitions under their auspices) must apply to The IFAB for permission to take part in the trial.

Data/information required as part of the participation in the trial

Competitions participating in the trial will be required to collect a range of data and feedback for submission to The IFAB, with the exact details and methodology still to be determined.

Participating competitions

Currently, the trial is being held in England and the US in competitions involving players aged twelve and below. The trial is also open to all other competitions and federations, provided they receive permission from The IFAB, comply with the protocol and submit the required data and feedback information.

APPROACH TO THE IFAB HEADING TRIAL

Before the start of the 2022-23 season, we invited all County FAs, leagues, clubs and schools across the country to take part in the new IFAB trial to remove deliberate heading in grassroots football matches at U12 level and below.

Over the last two seasons, around 16,000 teams and 107,000 players have participated in the trial, and we have remained in consultation with all of our key stakeholders across the grassroots game to provide guidance and support to implement the trial successfully.

Throughout this two-year period, we have carried out robust and thorough research into the application of the trial, working closely with the County FAs to understand how the game has adapted to the new format. This included observing and monitoring matches involved in the trial, conducting surveys with coaches, parents, guardians, referees and club officials, as well as gathering feedback from youth players.

ADAPTING THE HEADING TRIAL FOR THE 2024-25 SEASON

We have researched and collected feedback from leagues and clubs taking part in the IFAB trial to remove deliberate heading in grassroots football matches at U12 level and below to see how the experience of the players taking part could be further improved. Our aim is to also create more technical opportunities for players with the ball at their feet, allow for more effective playing time, and to reduce the amount of time the ball is in the air during a match.

As a result, from the start of the 2024-25 season for U7-U9 teams, we will also be rolling out the following:

Deliberate Header Restart:

• Deliberately heading the ball is an offence punishable by an indirect free kick
• The indirect free kick is taken at the point where the ball was deliberately headed, except:

o Where a player deliberately heads the ball within their own penalty area, the referee will stop the game and restart with an indirect free kick to the opposition from the nearest side line of the penalty area where the offence took place

Sanctions in the event of a deliberate header in a match:

• From the start of the 2024-25 season, there will be no disciplinary sanctions applied for a deliberate header in a match, unless the action is considered a persistent deliberate offence, which could then result in a caution.

WORKING WITH THE GRASSROOTS GAME TO HELP IMPLEMENT THE NEW RULE

The County FA network, leagues, clubs, coaches, referees and schools across the country will play a key part in helping to implement the new rule. In conjunction with this announcement, we will be providing the relevant guidance and will work closely with them over the coming weeks to ensure that they have the support they need to successfully implement the new rule from the start of next season.

We will also support any league, club and school who is taking part in the current IFAB trial across the U10-U12 age groups if they wish to continue with the trial on a voluntary basis next season, ahead of the transitional phasing of the new rule from the start of the 2025-26 season.”

Local Rules

Possible language for local rules modifications regarding underage heading is provided below:

Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct (Underage Heading)

Heading is not allowed in U-12 games and below.  (This may be stated as being for U-10 and below.)

• For U-12 and U-11 games, if an attempt at deliberate heading is performed, it is to result in the award of a Direct Free Kick.  If contact is made and it is careless or reckless, then a caution or ejection may also be issued; and/or,
• For U-10 and below games, any contact with the ball by the head, whether or not it is intentional or unintentional, is to result in the award an Indirect Free Kick.  (This is unambiguous and takes the interpretation of “deliberate” out of the decision on the part of the referee.)

• If a player plays in an older age group (e.g., a 10-year-old playing with a U-12 team), the heading restrictions for their actual age still apply.
• The restart is taken at the spot of the foul unless it was committed within the Penalty Area, then it is taken from the nearest side line of the Penalty Area.

REFEREE UNDERAGE HEADING SIGNAL (Deliberate Heading) – palm of hand is briefly held to the forehead

Initial Youth Coaching Heading Guidance (to also be formally discussed with players and parents):

– No players 10 years of age and under should be heading, especially standard, fully-inflated soccer balls. “Local Rules” may prohibit “underage heading” in games.  11-, 12-, and 13-year-olds should only engage in limited heading based on US Soccer guidance.

– A series of soft balls may be used to introduce heading at first and then standard soccer balls used, the size of which must be age appropriate.
– Parents, siblings, and other players must be clearly instructed to NOT take it upon themselves to introduce heading to small children.
– No one is to ever throw a ball at a child’s head.
– Players are not to try to throw a ball up into the air to attempt heading it themselves (“self toss”). This rarely works.  It develops improper technique because of an inappropriate flight of the ball, and players routinely and incorrectly strike the ball with the top of their head.
– No young player is to be forced to head a ball; heading is an “unnatural” act and children who are reluctant to head at first do so from a normal protective instinct.
– No teammates should ever be allowed to ridicule a player who is reluctant to head.
– Young players must never hit the ball with the top or side of their head.

Soccer Coaching Tips:

See “Learning Progressions in Soccer” for the heading skill series.

© John C. Harves