New heading rules ‘don’t go far enough’
AGLASGOW brain injury expert has said new enough.guidelines banning children under 12 from heading footballs do not go far
The Scottish FA (SFA) said headers should also be restricted up to the age of 17 and youth coaches should generally promote a style of play that “limits long passing”.
It follows a landmark Glasgow University study which showed former players are three times at risk of neurological disease and have a five-fold risk of Alzheimer’s.
While the study did not specifically draw a link between headers and neurological disease, it has been identified as a likely risk factor and the SFA said it has a “duty of care” to young players. The new guidelines take effect immediately.
Henry Simmons, chief executive of Alzheimer Scotland, praised the SFA for its “swift action” in tackling brain health issues.
Dr Willie Stewart, who led the Glasgow study, said he was “encouraged” by the changes but called for a mandatory ban for children and moves to restrict heading in the adult game.
He said: “A lot more research is needed to understand the factors contributing to increased risk of neurodegenerative disease in footballers.
“Meanwhile it is sensible to act to reduce exposure to the only recognised risk factor so far.
“I would, however, like to see these proposals introduced as mandatory, rather than voluntary as present, and a similar approach to reduce heading burden adopted in the wider game of football, not just in youth football.”
The guidelines recommend that headers should not be introduced in training sessions from the age of six through to 11 and should be considered a low coaching priority between the ages of 12 to 15 years.
They should also be limited to one session of no more than five headers per week at 13 years, increasing to 10 per session at 14 and 15.
Heading burden will remain restricted to one training session per week for those aged 16 and 17, and coaches should be mindful of limiting repetition.
Glasgow Catholic Schools Football Association is understood to have already implemented a ban on children heading balls.
SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: “While it is important to re-emphasise there is no research to suggest that heading in younger age groups was a contributory factor in the findings of the FIELD study into professional footballers, nevertheless Scottish football has a duty of care to young people.
“The updated guidelines are designed to help coaches remove repetitive and unnecessary heading from youth football in the earliest years, with a phased introduction at an age group considered most appropriate by our medical experts.
“It is important to reassure that heading is rare in youth football matches but we are clear that the guidelines should mitigate any potential risks.”
The FA in England have also updated their guidelines but stopped short of introducing an outright ban.
The Glasgow Times is campaigning for improved care for people affected by dementia.