Under 6 - Under 11: No Heading During Matches
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.
Under 12 - Under 18:
9 v 9 Football
Heading remains a very low priority, but limited heading may be introduced in training at this stage.
The Youth Development Phase DNA continues to provide an enjoyable and memorable experience for young players. The priority as players get older is still fun, engagement and mastery of both the body and the ball.
Players at this age are ready to cope with more decision making, which is reflected in the challenges provided in both training and games. This will still be done within an environment that is both supportive and positive.
While there may be a small increase in the number of headers seen in the game at this age group, it will remain a low priority when compared to other technical aspects of the game.
Coaches should continue to use the time they have with players to maximise the development of other key skills seen more regularly in the game at this age.
11 v 11 Football
Coaches may wish to introduce the technique of heading, due to heading being a part of matches at this age group. We strongly advise a maximum of one session per week with light balls, limited repetition of a maximum of five headers, using self-serve or short distances. These limited sessions should introduce the technique of heading and should always be unopposed.
Coaches may wish to introduce the technique of heading, due to heading being a part of matches at this age group. We strongly advise a maximum of one session per week with light balls, limited repetition of a maximum of five headers, using self-serve or short distances.
These limited sessions should introduce the technique of heading and should always be unopposed.