U.S. Soccer bans headers for players Under 11. We need a sports forum!

[marylander1940]

The United States Soccer Federation has taken a major step in an attempt to reduce concussions among youth soccer players, adopting a policy that bans players under 11 from heading the ball and reducing headers in practice for 11 to 13 year olds, the New York Times reports. The new rules—which also include changes to substitutions—are in response to a class action lawsuit, which will now be dismissed.

 

The new rules do not apply to all youth soccer players in America, only those that play on teams under the auspices of U.S. Soccer, which includes all “youth national teams and academies, including Major League Soccer youth club teams.”

 

http://screamer.deadspin.com/u-s-soccer-bans-headers-for-players-under-11-to-resolv-1741635694

 

http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2014/02/soccer_headers_and_children_why_kids_shouldn_t_be_allowed_to_hit_the_ball.html

 

http://www.drharryfisch.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/110110751.jpg

 

http://thechronicleherald.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/ch_article_main_image/articles/AV0731soccer05.jpg