Dr. Koutures Thoughts on US Soccer Youth Heading Recommendations via MomsTEAM
On November 9, 2015, as part of a concussion-based lawsuit settlement agreement, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) announced a series of recommendations directed at identification, management, and prevention of concussions in youth soccer.
In regards to youth players heading a soccer ball, the following recommendations were released:
- Under age 11(U11) and younger
- U.S. Soccer recommends that players in U11 programs and younger shall not engage in heading, either in practices or in games
- U12 and U13
- U.S. Soccer further recommends for players in U12 and U13 programs, that heading training be limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per week with no more that 15-20 headers per player, per week.
- U.S. Soccer further recommends for players in U12 and U13 programs, that heading training be limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per week with no more that 15-20 headers per player, per week.
- All coaches should be instructed to teach and emphasize the importance of proper techniques for heading the ball.
As one of the co-authors of the 2010 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness Policy Statements on Injuries in Youth Soccer, I responded to questions posed by Lindsey Barton Straus, JD of MomsTEAM about certain aspects of these heading recommendations. Please click on the above link to read her entire article and my embedded comments which represent my opinions and may not be interpreted as official AAP policy.
Be on the lookout for a follow-up article from MomsTEAM that reviews return to play decision-making components of the settlement agreement