New guidance for heading in football training

Tuesday 03 August 2021

Efforts are being made to limit the number of "higher force" headers by both professional and amateur footballers in light of continuing concerns over long-term brain health.

The Football Association is introducing new heading guidance across every level of the professional and amateur game from the start of the 2021-22 season.

The Guernsey Football Association has confirmed that the national guidelines apply to local clubs and have asked them to familiarise themselves with the FA's recommendations. 

There is a rising awareness of brain-related injuries sustained by sportspeople, including footballers, with recent studies indicating that football players have an increased risk of neurodegenerative brain disease.

What is the new guidance? 

It is recommended that heading practice for amateur clubs is limited to ten headers per session and only one session a week where heading practice is included.

Players should be responsible for monitoring their own heading activity and cut down on 'higher force' headers, for example, those from long passes and free kicks.

This new guidance follows the FA’s introduction of heading guidance in youth football in February 2020, which has also been updated and re-published.

The guidance for the professional game has been developed following multiple studies undertaken in recent months on behalf of a subgroup of the Professional Football Negotiating and Consultative Committee.

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.

"These recommendations have been developed to protect player welfare," said the FA. "As further research is undertaken this guidance will be reviewed and updated to reflect increased understanding."

Pictured: The guidance can be read in full HERE.