New guidelines to restrict heading practice in adult football in Scotland
Players told not to head the ball the day before a match
Last updated 28th Nov 2022
Senior footballers in Scotland are being told not to head the ball the day before - as well as the day after - matches, as the Scottish FA brings in new guidelines to protect players from the risks of developing brain injuries.
The recommendations which have been developed in conjunction with the Scottish FA’s Chief Medical Consultant, Dr John MacLean, and Hampden Sport Clinic’s Head of Research and Education, Dr Katy Stewart, also say training exercises involving repeated heading should not happen more than once a week.
Clubs are also being urged to plan and monitor the use of heading in training to reduce the number of times it happens.
It follows the implementation of guidelines for all age groups from six to 17 years old in 2020.
Consultation with clubs
The Scottish FA says it has consulted with 50 clubs across the professional men’s and women’s games, PFA Scotland and the Coaches’ and Managers’ Association to understand current heading practices within the professional game.
It says a follow-up survey with managers and coaches showed over 70 percent were supportive of heading guidelines being introduced.
In a further recent survey of players carried out in conjunction with PFA Scotland, the majority of players 64 percent believed heading should be limited in training.
Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive: “The historic University of Glasgow study (FIELD), which found an increased risk of neurodegenerative disease in retired professional footballers, compared to a matched population control group, has been a catalyst for a radical rethink of football guidance, starting in the youth game with the introduction of the heading guidelines children between 6-17 in 2020.
“The Scottish FA said at the time that this research should shape the thinking in the adult game not just domestically but across the world. I am grateful to everyone in the professional game – clubs, coaches and managers, and players – for contributing to the latest research which has culminated in these new guidelines.
“It is our intention that these guidelines will be embraced and implemented with immediate effect. The publishing of today’s guidelines represents our ongoing commitment to player welfare.”
Memory impairment
Dr John MacLean, Scottish FA Chief Medical Consultant: “It is important to reiterate that while the FIELD study was not designed to identify the causes of this increased risk, both head injury and heading have been suggested as possible contributing factors to neurodegenerative disease.
“While the research continues to develop, what we already know about heading and its effects on the brain suggests that there is measurable memory impairment lasting 24-48 hours following a series of headers, and that brain related proteins can be detected in blood samples for a short time after heading. Brain scan changes have also been reported in footballers that may be linked to heading. Therefore, the goal is to reduce any potential cumulative effect of heading by reducing the overall exposure to heading in training.
“Scotland was the first country in the world to have a single set of Concussion Guidelines for all sports and the ‘If In Doubt, Sit Them Out’ campaign is now widely recognised and implemented across all sports.