U.S. Soccer Bans Headers For Kids Under The Age Of 11

After an entire spring season....it is my perception that this is doing more harm than good, particularly as it pertains to less skilled players. While they're protected from head injuries...they are far more likely to commit dangerous play fouls by high kicking. We had two kids get kicked in the face pretty badly as a direct result of unskilled players attempting to control balls with their feet that would have been routinely headed away.

 

So diablo jr is now a freshman and playing high school soccer.

One observation: the majority kids affected by this remain absolutely atrocious in the air....even as they are now freshman sophomores and juniors. Across all skill levels...they are just really really bad.

 

I reffed today, and parents were shocked that I did a drop ball after a header. Absolutely no idea what the rule is.

 

I'd rather teach the kids at that age to trap balls in the air with their feet. Nothing like a good trap from the air to really show ball skills. No problem with this.

 

Heading can still be learned. The rule has nothing to do with making heading "bad."

As said previously, maybe these players need to be taught how to play soccer at a young age instead of just heading a ball. In another discussion I had, the complaint was that heading was bad from goalkicks and punts. That's exactly what doesn't need to happen in youth soccer. Put the ball down and work on playing soccer instead of just senselessly knocking a ball.