In fact, so concerned is the United States Soccer Federation over the number of kids getting their bells rung on the soccer field, that the organization has just banned headers by kids younger than age 11.
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The U.S. Soccer Federation says these are recommendations for youth members, because a few of them do not have direct authority at the local level to require the adaptation of the rules. The federation is asking youth leagues around the nation to eliminate heading for players 10 and younger and restrict heading for players between the ages of 11 and 13, in the hopes of reducing the risk for concussions. The USSF said it had been developing a player safety campaign before the lawsuit. “U.S. Soccer and its youth members will have the flexibility to adapt as more is learned about concussions to ensure we are protecting the health and safety of our athletes and preventing injuries”.
The adjustment of the substitutions rule would echo that seen in rugby union, with World Rugby [formerly the global Rugby Board] implementing a Head Injury Assessment [HIA] for any player who has suffered an impact to the head.
U.S. Soccer is banning headers for children 10 and younger.
But slamming into another player, rather than heading the ball itself, is what causes the most header-related injuries, the study found. These all seem like reasonable measures for U.S. Soccer to take moving forward, but the resolution to that lawsuit also begs the questions: Why did it take a lawsuit to put these rules in place? A few will see this as a detriment because youth players in other countries will be able to head the ball, but I can see this as a benefit to player development as well as making the game safer for kids.
As a result of the settlement, a standard protocol will also now have to be followed when a player is found to have sustained a concussion. “By creating rules, they imply they have addressed and solved this problem, which they have not”. Players 14 and up will continue heading as always.
“I think it is prudent to say, let’s limit it at an early age, let’s save it for the older kids, and that way, we can even closely monitor signs of concussions that can happen that’s easier in the older age group”, he said.
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“From that perspective, we still have a ways to go”, the group’s executive director, Christopher Nowinski, said.
