Scientists investigating the neurological dangers of football said last night that the FA’s ban on heading could leave children at risk of not knowing how to execute a key technique.
The research team at Liverpool Hope University, who established that intense periods of heading can cause short-term memory loss, said a sponge ball should be used in training to prevent dangers when players move beyond 18.
FA guidelines last week recommended a total ban on heading for children of primary school age, a maximum five headers a month in training up to the age of 13, ten a month up to 16 and limited heading drills for under-18s.
But Jake Ashton, of Liverpool Hope, said that heading with sponge balls was necessary. ‘I agree with the ban.
But five headers a week is not going to equip young players with a good heading technique and they could come up with situations when they are beyond 18 that they are not able to deal with.’
Ashton also focused on ball pressure - officials are advised to pump them between 0-6 and 1.1 atmospheres. He said the softer end was far better, especially for young players.
naazanfield
0
bones heal nerves don't.
acinan
3
and should ban on tackling too... they can have broken legs and long term injuries... 2 tackle per month
acinan
0
did all the youth players had memory loss due to heading the ball... ??? Or did it happen to the majority of players?? Why ain't there any reports of players loosing memory before, it's been over 100 years since youth has been playing football...
Khojo_Hazard
3
my Cristiano Ronaldo is chilling in the air at the moment 🤣🤣🤣