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FA Guidance on heading the ball

  • 31/08/22
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The FA are trialling in some youth leagues no heading of the ball at U12. Should the trial be a success, the aim is to then remove deliberate heading from all football matches at U12 level and below from the 2023-24 season.

This step will bring matches across these age groups in line with the FA current heading guidance for training, which already recommends that heading is eliminated or restricted at this level.

The FA article is here: https://www.thefa.com/news/2022/jul/18/statement-heading-trial-u12-games-20221807

The FA Heading Guidance chart is here:
https://www.thefa.com/-/media/thefacom-new/files/rules-and-regulations/2021-22/heading-guidance/youth-heading-guidance-chart.ashx?la=en