So new restrictions....on heading the ball in training

Heading in football: Professional players in England limited to 10 'higher force headers' a week in training - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57996593

Not sure what to make of it really. Where is the line between duty of care and knowing the risks?

 

"hmm, good cross that, could probably connect but I've already done 10 higher force headers this week so I'll not bother".

 

Gary Lineker never practiced headers in training precisely because even back then he knew. Didn't stop him scoring a few goals though in real games. I think its a sensible move personally.

 

How does a defender train without practicing defensive headers though?

 

The 'nod back to the thrower', 'ball looped up' and 'on the bounce' headers are low force. These happen quite a lot.

 

Will it stop head tennis?

 

I wonder if long term we may see heading and 'long balls' gradually disappear from the game? I don't mean totally disappear, as there will always be a time to boot it long but if kids grow up being discouraged from heading the ball (which is sensible) and perhaps training younger players also evolves to an even more possession based direction than currently, perhaps the game will evolve to a point where crossing the ball for someone to head becomes an alien concept. I'm talking very long term here by the way, but as football has evolved we have already seen some things become very rare or described as 'dinosaur' tactics. Perhaps future generations of footballers may naturally let the ball bounce and then deal with it by playing it out, safe in the knowledge that there won't necessarily be a target man challenging them, so the whole basis of defending changes. I wonder if future Andy Carrolls or Duncan Fergusons will end up as very different players, focussing on technique and holding the ball rather than fearsome aerial strength. Maybe I'm over thinking it all but some games do already resemble a five-a-side game played with 22 players, with long balls and crosses seldom used. Thinking of Ederson or De Gea booting it long from a goal kick hoping for a flick on already feels odd so who knows how the game will evolve.

 

All sounds a bit Hinchcliff!

 

Who counts them?

What if someone heads the ball 11 or 12 or 13 times?

 

Yeah, good question - I guess that they have to practice with a ball thats hung up to head - that wouldn't be high impact, then to throw some sponge balls up to simulate a moving ball. I wouldn't have thought you ever get in training the same rough and tumble challenges in the air between attacker and defender that we see in a live game also. So that bit is just about being a tough old bstard and getting your body in the way - I think more mental then anything.

 

Be like kids at primary school after the six weeks holidays.

First day back and they've forgotten how to write.

 

Worn, wet kaseys always discouraged me from heading the ball.

 

I once scored a cracker of a header, it’s definitely in my top 5 goals I’ve scored, it would probably be No1 if it wasn’t
In my own net.

 

I remember playing a Sunday morning game hungover and the keeper had come out wide to clear the ball and sliced it in the air about 25 yards out ball coming straight down to my head a moment of glory awaited.
I miss timed it completely the ball hit my face rolled down my body I stood on the ball and turned a ankle. Safe to say sympathy was not forthcoming.

 

Really made me chuckle that

 

I'm just glad it pre dated smart phones!

 

Especially if the knot wasn’t tied properly