Heading the ball

[Stu_Blade]

With the current discussions in football around heading the ball what could be done to prevent risk. When I was discussing it was one of three

1) Do nothing the balls were heaver in the 70s/80s and not everyone that played football has gone onto develop a condition.

2) Adjust the weight of the ball

3) Ban heading, make it a foul similar to the handball law. This would also limit the risk of a stray elbow when heading the ball.

If option 3 comes into force, we would have to adapt to playing long balls into space or accurate short passing football. There are definitely less headed goals than 10-20 years ago from what I can remember.

 

[bartman]

With the current discussions in football around heading the ball what could be done to prevent risk. When I was discussing it was one of three

1) Do nothing the balls were heaver in the 70s/80s and not everyone that played football has gone onto develop a condition.

2) Adjust the weight of the ball

3) Ban heading, make it a foul similar to the handball law. This would also limit the risk of a stray elbow when heading the ball.

If option 3 comes into force, we would have to adapt to playing long balls into space or accurate short passing football. There are definitely less headed goals than 10-20 years ago from what I can remember.

Or no change to the ball but players can wear skull caps like the one Petr Cech used to wear

 

[Cheesebored]

With the current discussions in football around heading the ball what could be done to prevent risk. When I was discussing it was one of three

1) Do nothing the balls were heaver in the 70s/80s and not everyone that played football has gone onto develop a condition.

2) Adjust the weight of the ball

3) Ban heading, make it a foul similar to the handball law. This would also limit the risk of a stray elbow when heading the ball.

If option 3 comes into force, we would have to adapt to playing long balls into space or accurate short passing football. There are definitely less headed goals than 10-20 years ago from what I can remember.

Was reading an article the other night on the back of what's happened to Gordon Mcqueen. The medical experts seemed to be advocating following rugby's model whereby suggesting immediate medical intervention was the way forward after a head injury. There was limited mention of damage caused by actually heading the ball although I'm aware of other reports suggesting otherwise. For me the game's become sanitised enough, removing heading the ball from the game would be the final straw for me.

 

[Stu_Blade]

Was reading an article the other night on the back of what's happened to Gordon Mcqueen. The medical experts seemed to be advocating following rugby's model whereby suggesting immediate medical intervention was the way forward after a head injury. There was limited mention of damage caused by actually heading the ball although I'm aware of other reports suggesting otherwise. For me the game's become sanitised enough, removing heading the ball from the game would be the final straw for me.

I agree in the sense of head injuries don't seem to be assessed quickly the introduction of a Head Injury Assessment substitution wouldn't be a bad idea. I think in Rugby League they get 15 minutes to assess the player after an incident and the referee can also advise and intervene. However playing the "Barca Style" of football rather than hoofball that is now in fashion how many head injuries are there likely to be is definitely one question. Plus balls are not heavy leather anymore

 

[broomhillblade]

I agree in the sense of head injuries don't seem to be assessed quickly the introduction of a Head Injury Assessment substitution wouldn't be a bad idea. I think in Rugby League they get 15 minutes to assess the player after an incident and the referee can also advise and intervene. However playing the "Barca Style" of football rather than hoofball that is now in fashion how many head injuries are there likely to be is definitely one question. Plus balls are not heavy leather anymore

Are modern footballs lighter than the old leather ones? I recall reading somewhere that the weight is the same, but the leather balls could become heavier when wet and muddy.

 

[Stu_Blade]

Are modern footballs lighter than the old leather ones? I recall reading somewhere that the weight is the same, but the leather balls could become heavier when wet and muddy.

You definitely could be right there but seeing some of the conditions of the 70s & 80s I am surprised if they didn't weigh the same as a medicine ball!

 

[Nosworthys Throw]

Option 1, do nothing but maybe learn how to head a ball properly.

Option 3 is ridiculous

 

[Working Class Hero]

If option 3 ever came about, with VAR in place the game would look nothing like the one that became the world's most popular sport and billions fell in love with. I think I'd be out.

 

[JJBlade]

But more importantly

Would our lot still hoof it

 

[bornablade]

Sheffield FC in their infancy would 'head' the ball.

This was unique and caused laughter from their London counterparts when they first observed this practice. It obviously became an integral part of the game.

To quote the great Brian Clough 'If God wanted us to play football in the clouds he would have put grass up there.'

Play to feet.

 

[Working Class Hero]

But more importantly

Would our lot still hoof it

And would Oli McBurnie still lose more than any other player in the entire league?

 

[Harry's Game]

Skull caps would possibly be useful in prevention of cracked skulls in collisions but I believe it would not remove the root cause of the brain injuries from heading a ball which comes from the constant repeated vibrations caused to brain. Similar to boxers brain injuries.

The argument about whether the modern ball is safer to head than the older ball is disputed, the family of Jeff Astle do not accept this argument and say their medical advisors say there is little difference to the dangers of constant heading of the new balls to the older balls.

I don’t think its possible to remove heading from the game, but perhaps heading should be banned in all training and only take place during games. There is also a case i would suggest for banning heading in u16 age group.

 

[diode_blade]

Won't affect blades though, we cant jump higher than a gnats chuffing fart

 

[Badger Blade]

Rugby style scrum caps do nothing except prevent against flesh wounds. When I played rugby, most of the blokes getting knocked out were the ones wearing it because they get lulled into a false sense of security and go throwing themselves about like lunatics so we'd likely end up with more head clashes and concussions.
We can't get rid of heading, kids from a younger age need teaching how to do it properly. Taking it out of training would just lead to a lack of practice and make it more dangerous in the long run IMO.

 

[Stu_Blade]

Rugby style scrum caps do nothing except prevent against flesh wounds. When I played rugby, most of the blokes getting knocked out were the ones wearing it because they get lulled into a false sense of security and go throwing themselves about like lunatics so we'd likely end up with more head clashes and concussions.
We can't get rid of heading, kids from a younger age need teaching how to do it properly. Taking it out of training would just lead to a lack of practice and make it more dangerous in the long run IMO.

I agree when I have looked at tackling in Rugby they say that tackling technique needs to happen early so players know where to place their head and not get injured. If heading is banned in training it could cause more problems. Its about proving a link as it's strange that not all professional athletes from boxers, footballers and Rugby players devlop conditions but some do, be interesting to see what the research suggests.

 

[broomhillblade]

Legend has it that Stanley Matthews never headed the ball.

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

Plenty of us have played 5-a side for years with no heading. I reckon the game would adapt. It is probably inevitable as the world is today.