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.
