Photo by Flickr user heisnofool

The fall kids soccer season is about to begin. Earlier this summer I read about US women soccer stars getting the word out on the dangers of children heading soccer balls with, “guidelines calling for the elimination of heading the ball by players younger than 14″ due to the potential for brain injuries. The article notes that, “many soccer organizations in the United States suggest that coaches start teaching children to head the ball only after those players turn 10”. The American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO) points out on their, Is Heading Safe, page, in bold that, “AYSO does not recommend heading below the age of ten. Coaches are not encouraged to teach or practice heading at these early ages”.

So imagine my surprise when my six year old kid comes home from soccer camp one day this summer and starts throwing the ball up in the air trying to hit it with his head. He told me that’s what they did at camp.

When I emailed the camp about their policy they replied with:

Heading is specially important because incorrect heading is not safe in the long run.
We adjust the intensity of all skills to be age-appropriate.  Heading skill is taught to the younger age by reducing the distant from where the ball is served to the player to reduce the power from the ball. This is in compliance with recommendations from all soccer organizations.

Now it turns out that the Lafayette Moraga Youth Association (LMYA) is using this soccer organization to provide, “Professional trainers […] working directly on the field with coaches and players” and “Separate “free” skills clinics with […] trainers”. I emailed LMYA about their soccer heading policy and did not receive a reply.

Should young kids be practicing heading soccer balls? Do other soccer organizations in this area have policies on this?

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