Rule Change on Heading in Grassroots

Back in 2022 the FA implemented the IFAB (International Football Association Board) trial to remove deliberate heading in football matches involving children under the age of 12.

After 2 seasons of this trial in English football, the FA is now looking to introduce a brand-new rule to phase out deliberate heading in all matches that are affiliated to grassroots youth football between the age groups U7 – U11, over the next three seasons.

This will include all league matches, affiliated clubs and schools football matches beginning with U7, U8, U9 from season 2024-25, moving to U10’s from 2025/26, then finally to U11’s from 2026/27.

The FA have announced…

‘The introduction of the new rule follows a consultation and discussion process with representatives across the grassroots game, including the National Game Board, the FA Development Committee and the wider County FA network. It has also been approved by the FA Board and the FA shareholders, who comprise a wide range of key stakeholders from across English football, with representation from the professional and grassroots game.’

(thefa.com)

So how will this affect the matches? From the start of the 2024-25 season when this rule shall be brough in for U7-U9 teams:

Deliberate Header Restart:

-              Deliberately heading the ball is an offence punishable by an indirect free kick

-              The indirect free kick is taken at the point where the ball was deliberately headed, except:

-              Where a player deliberately heads the ball within their own penalty area, the referee will stop the game and restart with an indirect free kick to the opposition from the nearest side line of the penalty area where the offence took place

Touchline Restart:

-              When the whole of the ball passes over the whole of the touchline, on the ground or in the air, instead of a throw-in, a pass-in/dribble-in is awarded

-              The kicker that takes the pass-in/dribble-in may touch the ball again before it is touched by another player

-               At the moment of delivering the ball:

-              The ball must be stationary on the touchline at the point where it left the pitch; only the kicker may be off the pitch

-              All opponents must stand at least five yards from the point on the touchline where the pass-in or /dribble-in is to be taken from

-              A goal cannot be scored directly from a pass-in

-              The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves

It has been confirmed that for the 2024-25 season there will be no disciplinary action for a header, however if the action is deemed persistent it could result in a caution.

What is the main aim behind all of this?

The main aim of this new rule change is primarily safety precautions for all involved, protecting those playing from injuries that could be received from head to head collisions, elbow to head, or head to the ground impact.

The FA have said that the decision for the new rule was put forward and considered by internal governing bodies, leagues and coaches and was welcomed by the majority to create a safer game at youth level.

As children then begin their transition from primary to secondary school it will see heading reintroduced to their game as this natural progression period.