FA guidance on heading in football in England

Heading in U7-U11 youth grassroots football matches to be phased out over the next three seasons following IFAB trial.

In 2022, we became the first national association to successfully adopt the International Football Association Board [IFAB] trial to remove deliberate heading in grassroots football matches at U12 level and below.

We first introduced the IFAB trial in England following our steps to bring in heading guidance in youth football in 2020, and then the implementation of heading guidance in training across every level of the professional and amateur game in 2021.

After two seasons of the IFAB trial in English football, we will now introduce a new rule to phase out deliberate heading in matches in all affiliated grassroots youth football between U7-U11 level over the next three seasons. This includes all leagues, clubs and any affiliated school football matches – starting with U7-U9 level from the 2024-25 season, then increasing to include U10 level from 2025-26, and U11 level from 2026-27.

As grassroots players move from primary to secondary school, heading the ball will be introduced at this transition point in their U12 season.

ADAPTING THE HEADING TRIAL FOR THE 2024-25 SEASON

We have researched and collected feedback from leagues and clubs taking part in the IFAB trial to remove deliberate heading in grassroots football matches at U12 level and below to see how the experience of the players taking part could be further improved. Our aim is to also create more technical opportunities for players with the ball at their feet, allow for more effective playing time, and to reduce the amount of time the ball is in the air during a match.

As a result, from the start of the 2024-25 season for U7-U9 teams, we will also be rolling out the following:

Deliberate Header Restart:

- Deliberately heading the ball is an offence punishable by an indirect free kick

- The indirect free kick is taken at the point where the ball was deliberately headed, except:

Where a player deliberately heads the ball within their own penalty area, the referee will stop the game and restart with an indirect free kick to the opposition from the nearest side line of the penalty area where the offence took place

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Heading in Youth Football

We are introducing a new law to phase out deliberate heading in matches in all affiliated grassroots youth football between U7-U11 level over the next three seasons.

Touchline Restart:

Kick-ins and dribble-ins will be introduced instead of throw-ins to create more technical opportunities for players with the ball at their feet, allow for more effective playing time, and to help reduce the amount of time the ball is in the air during a match.

- When the whole of the ball passes over the whole of the touchline, on the ground or in the air, instead of a throw-in, a pass-in / dribble-in is awarded

- The kicker that takes the pass-in / dribble-in may touch the ball again before it is touched by another player

- At the moment of delivering the ball:

- The ball must be stationary on the touchline at the point where it left the pitch; only the kicker may be off the pitch

- All opponents must stand at least 5 yards from the point on the touchline where the pass-in or /dribble-in is to be taken from

- A goal cannot be scored directly from a pass-in

- The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves

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Touchline Restart

We are introducing a new touchline restart law to phase in dribble-ins and pass-ins in place of throw-ins in all affiliated grassroots youth football between U7-U11 level over the next three seasons.

Sanctions in the event of a deliberate header in a match:

From the start of the 2024/25 season, there will be no disciplinary sanctions applied for a deliberate header in a match, unless the action is considered a persistent deliberate offence, which could then result in a caution

For the full announcement, click here.

HEADING IN TRAINING GUIDANCE

Age Group Guidance

Heading should not be introduced in training sessions at this age

The Foundation Phase DNA aims to provide an enjoyable and memorable experience for young children.

Priority at this age is fun engagement and the mastery of both the body and the ball.

In today’s modern game, children will play on smaller pitches, with fewer players and with the retreat line rule to encourage players to play through the thirds.

There is an emphasis at all levels to retain and love the ball.

Coaches should use the time they have with players to maximise enjoyment and development of other skills, particularly the fundamentals of working with the ball in their hands and feet.

Focus should be on learning to master the ball and the body through fun activities.

Heading remains a very low priority, but limited heading may be introduced in training at this stage.

Coaches may wish to introduce the technique of heading, due to heading being a part of matches at this age group. We strongly advise a maximum of one session per week with light balls, limited repetition of a maximum of five headers, using self-serve or short distances. These limited sessions should introduce the technique of heading and should always be unopposed.

The Youth Development Phase DNA continues to provide an enjoyable and memorable experience for young players. The priority as players get older is still fun, engagement and mastery of both the body and the ball.

Players at this age are ready to cope with more decision making, which is reflected in the challenges provided in both training and games.

This will still be done within an environment that is both supportive and positive.

While there may be a small increase in the number of headers seen in the game at this age group, it will remain a low priority when compared to other technical aspects of the game.

Coaches should continue to use the time they have with players to maximise the development of other key skills seen more regularly in the game at this age.

Heading remains a very low priority, but limited heading may be introduced in training at this stage.

Players at this age are ready to cope with more decision making, which is reflected in the challenges provided in both training and games.

This will still be done within an environment that is both supportive and positive.

While there may be a small increase in the number of headers seen in the game at this age group, it will remain a low priority when compared to other technical aspects of the game.

Coaches should continue to use the time they have with players to maximise the development of other key skills seen more regularly in the game at this age.

Players can be introduced to the basic concepts in training with limited repetition. Coaches should not focus on heading practice more than one session per week and limit the number of headers per player to 10 per session. Coaches should use a variety of distances relative to the game at this age.

The Youth Development Phase DNA continues to provide an enjoyable and memorable experience for young players.

Priority is still fun, engagement and the mastery of both the body and the ball.

Players at this age are ready to cope with more decision making, which is reflected in the challenges provided in both training and games. This will still be done within an environment that is both supportive and positive.

As players’ knowledge of the game and physical strength develops, there will be more visible tactical use of restarts, resulting in an increased number of headers.

There are key factors to consider when introducing the technique of heading as part of a balanced programme, which include:

• Judge and adjust to the flight of the ball
• Attack the ball at optimum point
• Head contact and ball contact to control direction and distance of the ball

Different types of headers will start to be used, so coaches can introduce position-specific movement patterns.

RECOMMENDATION: LIMITING HEADING IN TRAINING

These recommendations have been developed to protect players welfare. As further research is undertaken this guidance will be reviewed and updated to reflect increased understanding.

It is recommended that heading practice is limited to 10 headers per session and only one session a week where heading practice is included. Players should be responsible for monitoring their own heading activity.

As the game begins to replicate the adult game coaches should use a variety of heading situations players will experience during a game. This includes the introduction of contested headers. While you may now use match balls in the session light balls can still be used in training when practising the technique of heading.

The Youth Development Phase DNA continues to provide an enjoyable and memorable experience for young players.

Priority is still fun, engagement and the mastery of both the body and the ball.

As players’ knowledge of the game and physical strength develops, there will be more visible tactical use of restarts, resulting in an increased number of headers.

There are key factors to consider when introducing the technique of heading as part of a balanced programme, which include:

• Judge and adjust to the flight of the ball
• Attack the ball at optimum point
• Head contact and ball contact to control direction and distance of the ball

Different types of headers will start to be used, so coaches can introduce position-specific movement patterns.

RECOMMENDATION: LIMITING HEADING IN TRAINING

These recommendations have been developed to protect players welfare. As further research is undertaken this guidance will be reviewed and updated to reflect increased understanding.

LIMITING HEADING IN TRAINING

These recommendations have been developed to protect players welfare. As further research is undertaken this guidance will be reviewed and updated to reflect increased understanding.

It is recommended that heading practice is limited to 10 headers per session and only one session a week where heading practice is included. Players should be responsible for monitoring their own heading activity.

GUIDANCE FOR COACHES

It is acknowledged there is a significant amount of further research required which will inform further iterations of this guidance. The aim of this guidance is to reduce overall exposure to heading without compromising development of technique and the role heading plays in the (English) game. The role of the coach in supporting players’ skill development for heading is to ensure a safe and controlled technique. It is recommended when designing heading related activities these points are considered:

• What is it that occurs in the game that you are preparing the players to do? What is the best way to prepare the players to do this?
• How often do the various types of heading occur in the context that your players play?
• Quality v Quantity - Ensure you focus is on the technique of heading, rather than the volume of headers.
• Different types of headers results in different impacts on the head. The focus for the coach is to support their players in developing safe and controlled technique for both attacking and defensive headers, including contested and uncontested headers.
• A recent study in the professional game observed that headers completed following a longball and cross (over 35- 45m distance) were likely to result in the highest loads on a player’s head. Therefore, coaches should consider this when practicing set plays such as corners and final 3rd free-kicks and attacking play.
• Wherever possible limit the number of headers carried out when a player takes more than three steps and runs onto a ball or dives for a ball.
• Practice technique using thrown passes to reduce the potential load on the head.
• It is important to ensure that the balls used are appropriate in terms of “wear and tear”, ensuring the surfaces are smooth and no water is being held, which would make the ball heavier.

It is recognised that in Adult football there will be a more visible tactical use of restarts, resulting in potentially an increased number of headers. Please consider how you plan these activities limiting the opportunity for repetitive heading of certain players.

There are key factors to consider when introducing the technique of heading as part of a balanced programme, which include:

• Judge and adjust to the flight of the ball
• Attack the ball at optimum point
• Head contact and ball contact to control direction and distance of the ball

Different types of headers will be more prevalent in certain positions, so coaches should introduce position specific training and support. Players playing in certain positions will head the ball more often, coaches should be aware of this and therefore plan accordingly to ensure players aren’t exposed to long periods of repetitive heading.