Football- worried about headers

[bunny85]

My son who's nearly 8 is into football. Personally I'm not a big fan of the game but let him play as he likes it so much, fine. It's twice a week- training and match. Now I've become increasingly concerned, almost paranoid even, about headers. I've read a lot on the subject and apparently they are very unsafe at least for kids under 12. Repeated impact on the head can have serious consequences and they're even considering banning headers altogether for kids under 12 (hope this happens asap but I don't think it will!). In the meantime I'm worried sick. I've told my son repeatedly that I strictly don't allow him to head the ball but the problem is it still happens, either accidentally or otherwise. If I take him out of football for good it'll break his heart. Any words of wisdom? Do your boys, those who play football, do headers, and how do you feel about it? Thanks and sorry if all this sounds ridiculous...I just can't help it.

Is this in a club or with his mates. My son's 7 and they don't do headers at all at his club. He does the odd header when playing with his friends but I'm not too worried about that.

My grandad was knocked out from doing headers as a young football. How he didn't sustain any damage is a miracle. I think clubs are much more aware of the damage know but I certainly don't encourage my son to do headers.

My son plays U9 football and headers are banned in the league he plays in - I thought this was standard in kids’ football now, and I think you’re right to be concerned. Have a word with the coach?

I think you are right to be concerned. I wouldn't stop him playing though. Keep hammering the message and educating him so he can make good choices. I understand your worry though.

My dd is 15, has been playing for 8 years, and has still never headed the ball. It doesn't make any sense to her that anyone would - how can it be good for you? She plays a fairly high level, but probably one down from where she would be, that's a price she's perfectly happy to pay.

My ds and my dd headed the ball, and continue to hed the ball in their games as adults.

However, current FA Guidance limits what younger dc can now do.
Just google the question and you can print it out and take it to the welfare officer at the club if the coach either isn't aware of it or is ignoring it.

I used to coach and manage a youth team. We absolutely did not do any headers, either in training or matches.

Thank you everyone for taking time to reply.

I must apologise- I didn't make myself fully clear- they never encourage children to do headers at the FC. I have spoken to the couch and he shared my view fully. What I meant was when my son does it anyway, sometimes during a game at the club (I asked him to stop it), sometimes when playing with friends, sometimes when playing at school and sometimes the ball hits his head accidentally. All together this has created a very concerning situation. Would it be correct if I told him to move away if he sees the ball coming near his head? Like I said I'm not at all into football and don't fully understand if that would be ok during a match.

Headers are banned in any circumstance until children are 12. It might be older now