Soccer Parents - Heading the Ball?

[Luv Bunnies]

Does anyone know if there are any age guideline for soccer players heading the ball? I think I recall hearing once that kids under a certain age should not hit the ball with their heads because of their muscle development and the possibility of injury. But I can't remember what the guidelines said. The kids on my son's team are 8-10 and the coach started them practicing heading last night. I was just wondering if they were too young or the right age to start practicing that skill.

Thanks!

 

[Not so Dumbo]

Per AYSO rules, starting in U-10(8-10yo) the coaches can start teaching heading the ball.

 

[Girly_Qs]

I'd heard 9-10y to begin teaching the skill, but to then use a smaller/lighter ball (not FIFA5) to teach. I seem to recall an article with a sports med doc saying 14y to actually begin heading the ball in games, etc.

 

[mjkacmom]

Ds's team has been heading the ball since about age 8. His coach (DH) believes it's much more dangerous NOT to know how to head the ball at this age.

Edited to add that their team does have professional trainers who also teach heading.

 

[melcan]

Check this out, http://ayso602.org/tools/coaches/index.htm

 

[shelly3girls]

DD's U-10 team started this year. There are only a few girls who actually do it or even attempt to and they are the more skilled players on the team. It has not been a focus but the coaches definitely practiced the proper way to do it. The girls were attempting it anyway so I think the coaches thought it was safer to teach the proper technique.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

My children were taught about heading around 8-9 and it was a pro-active measure vs. skill. They were not taught to use the skill at this age but to protect themselves for an occasional shot that may come at them. They were told NOT to use actively in the game til they were a bit older. This is an especially needed skill if your child where's glasses and is not versed in what to do if the ball is coming at you. Not every child will immediately duck. I would just ask the coach to teach your child but to emphasize that it is not a skill to be used in games but to be used only if necessary.

 

[Stephres]

Our guys head the ball, they were taught once the proper technique but it's definitely not a skill the coaches emphasize. They are 8 and 9 years old.

 

[Chelley00]

U10 is the age we had to start teaching technique, however, just to teach and not to use unless necessary. U12 is when we begin coaching it as a useable skill during games.

Just make sure they are being taught the correct place on the head to hit the ball. You can google it and find diagrams. Most kids hit it too far back on their head and give themself a headache.

 

[debster812]

ITA--DS is a true U12 (11 years old) and his coach started really teaching them heading technique last spring. A few of the stronger players really get it, but like others have said, it is more pro-active and preventative in the 8-10 age group. PLUS, the little ones see the big kids doing it, and will try to copy, regardless of technique, so I'd rather they learn the skill young.

Our coaches start with slightly deflated balls, Size 4 for U10s and U12s.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Thanks for all the replys. My son is on a U10 team and the coach just started having them practice heading last week. They didn't do it for very long so I doubt he's big on having them do it during the games. My son ducked out of the way each time the ball came at him so I probably don't have to worry about him hurting his head!