SFA announces ban on heading in under-12s football training

Children under 12 are to be banned from heading the ball in training sessions, the Scottish Football Association (SFA) has announced. A graduated approach will be introduced for children aged 12-17, with limits on the amount of heading allowed.

It comes after the University of Glasgow-led FIELD study showed former footballers were three and a half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative disease than age-matched members of the general population.

There will be no change in terms of heading in matches, taking into consideration the extremely limited number of headers that actually occur in youth games.

The football associations of Scotland, England and Northern Ireland all issued statements on Monday confirming changes to their heading guidance, which will be introduced immediately.

Ian Maxwell, SFA chief executive, 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, their parents and those responsible for their well-being throughout youth football.

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.

We will also look to monitor and review the guidance as part of our commitment to making the national game a safe and enjoyable environment for young people.''

He added: I would like to thank our colleagues at the English FA for their collaboration in this process and UEFA's Medical Committee for their guidance.''

The new guidelines state heading 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, although training sessions can be introduced.

These should be limited to one session of no more than five headers per week at 13 years, increasing to 10 headers per session at 14 and 15.

For 16 and 17-year-olds it is recommended heading should be restricted to one training session and that coaches should be mindful of limiting repetitions during that session.

Dr Willie Stewart, consultant neuropathologist and honorary clinical associate professor at the University of Glasgow, and leader of the FIELD study, said: I'm encouraged to see these changes being made FA, SFA and NIFA youth football.

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.''

Dr Stewart added: As such, measures to reduce exposure to unnecessary head impacts and risk of head injury in sport are a logical step.

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.''