Concussion Policy - Is this the Way to Go?

[grunewar]

From 6/1/14 Washington Post:

"The Shipley School in Bryn Mahr, PA. instituted a "no heading" policy for its middle school soccer teams earlier this month. The groundbreaking stance prohibits heading in practice and will ask the players to avoid heading the ball in games.

"The easiest way to protect the athletes and reduce problems would be to raise the age that we introduce heading in soccer."

Thoughts?

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by grunewar

From 6/1/14 Washington Post:

"The Shipley School in Bryn Mahr, PA. instituted a "no heading" policy for its middle school soccer teams earlier this month. The groundbreaking stance prohibits heading in practice and will ask the players to avoid heading the ball in games.

"The easiest way to protect the athletes and reduce problems would be to raise the age that we introduce heading in soccer."

Thoughts?

We have a similar rule for youth soccer in the league I work, but the restriction on heading ends with the 4th or 5th grade league which goes to basically FIFA rules except where modified by league rules.

The constant impact from heading the ball (more during practice than during games) can wreak havoc with a child's growing cranium.

I don't know about rules in my area, but I have heard about coaches not allowing their players to head the ball until they reach U13's.