HEADING POLICY:
- Heading the ball is not permissible for any player in 6th grade or below. Heading of the ball during a game (whether intentionally or unintentional) will result in an indirect free kick for the opposing team.
- 7th Grade and Above:
- heading training will be limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per week with no more than 15‐20 headers per player, per week.
- No limit of heading in games.
- Coaches of teams 7th grade and above must be trained to teach and emphasize the importance of proper techniques for heading the ball
VIDEO LINK: MOJO Soccer Skills: How To Head the Ball
It is advised coaches should continue to work with their players in receiving the ball from the air using chest, thigh and foot techniques.
To get to the point where the objective of beginning heading can be achieved, it is suggested that coaches use the following ball progression:
- Balloon
- Sponge (NERF™-type) Ball
- Playball*
- Volleyball
- Partially-deflated soccer ball
- Properly inflated soccer ball
Please note:
- Players are not to try to throw a ball up into the air to attempt heading it themselves as this rarely works and develops improper technique.
- No player is to be forced to head a ball; heading is an “unnatural” act and children who are reluctant to head at first do so from a normal protective instinct; no teammates should be allowed to ridicule a reluctant player.
- Players should avoid heading the ball with the top or side of their head.
Heading Infraction:
A team whose player in the U12 or lower divisions deliberately heads or attempts to head the ball will be sanctioned by an indirect free kick awarded to the opponent at the spot of the foul.
The exception to the spot of the foul location is, if the infraction occurs within a team’s defensive goal area. The spot for the taking of the indirect free kick will be on the goal area line that is parallel to the goal line nearest to where the infraction occurred.
If, in the opinion of the referee, a player does not deliberately head or attempt to head the ball, then play shall continue.