The FA announced on Tuesday that there is a ban for Primary school children heading the ball in training sessions as a result of the link between sports and dementia in the wake of a recent study. The Field study showed that former footballers were three and a half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative disease than others at the same age.
Although there was no evidence in the study to suggest that heading the ball was the cause of the link, the FA says it's taking the stance to 'mitigate against any potential risks'.
This guidance, which will not apply in Wales yet, will affect training only. The Welsh FA announced that its guidance for children heading the ball is under investigation, with its findings being made available later this year.
In the statement released by the Scottish, Irish and English FA, coaches were advised there should be “no heading in training in the foundation phase” meaning for all children aged eleven or younger.
One level which there will be no changes made are at youth level, where the FA said that headers are rare at that level. However, this has been seen as a concern for parents as this has created a mixed reaction following the release of the statement. For some parents they welcomed the change, describing it as “protecting the welfare of their children” although not many are against the change itself, but how they have applied it. The change states that children are unable to head the ball in training and they can in matches however the inconsistency within the decision leaves the debate still up in the air.
A similar stance, that also includes restrictions during matches, has been in place in the US since 2015 after a number of parents and coaches took legal action against the US Soccer Federation.
