The U.S. Soccer Federation proposed rules today to limit “heading” in children’s leagues. Is the US ahead of the curve on this, or do other countries already have such rules in place?
TIA
No. Norwegian - and, as far as I can tell, European - football associations haven’t concluded that. Via the Guardian, the UK FA spokesperson said:
From further on in the article:
There is, however, increased attention towards the risk and effects of potential concussions in professional players. Jeff Astle, former English forward, died in 2002 of head traumas an inquest decided were from his football career. There’s a renewed push for the 10-year study started after his death of the long-term effects of heading, which the FA had to cancel because none of the subjects they started with made professional level or stayed in football.
The FA did, however, place some more weight on in-game head injuries for the 14/15 season, like a ban on continued play from players who sustain head injuries in the match or faint during play. (There’s very much a “tough it out” attitude there.)
As I see it, the ban for under-10 players and limits on 11-13 players is sensible, but not for the reasons stated. I don’t think the biggest concussion risk in a heading is the ball - it’s the flying elbows and whoever you’re duelling’s head. (I have two chipped teeth courtesy of air duels before I turned 13. It was pretty much the norm.) 13+ teens under supervision of a trainer who gets the risks, still have time to get their air game up to a professional level while minimizing risk.