The FA’s recent introduction of the heading ban for players under 12 has brought significant changes to coaching strategies at grassroots levels. The youth heading guidance aims to prioritise player safety while ensuring skill development remains effective and enjoyable.
Adapting Coaching Techniques
With heading off the table, coaches need to focus on alternative ways players can control the ball. Key skills include using the chest, thighs, knees, or feet to manage aerial balls. Players must also learn to use their bodies to shield the ball and guide it into space for better control and ground play.
Building Core Capabilities
Even without heading, players can develop essential football skills that will serve them well when heading is eventually introduced. The six core capabilities to focus on are:
- Scanning: Players should constantly be aware of their teammates, opponents, and the ball’s position.
- Timing: Perfecting the timing of jumps or movements to intercept the ball.
- Movement: Aligning body movements with the ball’s trajectory.
- Positioning: Using the body effectively to compete for the ball.
- Deception: Developing the ability to deceive opponents with movements.
- Technique: Choosing and executing the right action during play.
These skills ensure players are well-rounded and ready for more advanced techniques as they grow older.
Practical Training Adjustments
Training sessions for young players should still be fun and engaging, with an emphasis on ball control and movement. Incorporating drills that simulate heading movements without actual contact can prepare players for future development. For instance, practising chest and thigh controls, ground passes, and dribbling will keep players actively engaged and improving their game sense.
Coaches should also consider integrating neck-strengthening exercises into training routines. These exercises are proven to help prepare young athletes for the physical demands of heading once it becomes a part of their gameplay.
Game Day Modifications
Match rules have also adapted to accommodate the heading ban. Traditional throw-ins, which often lead to headers, are replaced with pass-ins and dribble-ins. These alternatives keep the game flowing and emphasise ground play, which is essential for developing young players’ dribbling and passing skills. During pass-ins and dribble-ins, the ball must be stationary, and opponents should maintain a five-yard distance. These changes encourage a smoother game pace and ensure the ball remains in play more effectively.
Special Considerations for Disabled Players
Coaches must always be mindful of the individual needs of their players, particularly those with disabilities. For instance, players with Down’s syndrome are more likely to have neck instability and should avoid heading altogether. Communication with players, parents, and caregivers is vital to ensure all training and gameplay are safe and beneficial.
Implementing the Youth Heading Guidance
According to the FA’s youth heading guidance, heading should not be introduced in training sessions for players aged U7 to U11. The focus at this age should be on mastering ball control and body movements through fun activities. For U12 players, limited heading may be introduced in training, with a maximum of one session per week using light balls and limited repetition.
For U14 to U16 players, heading practice should remain limited, with a focus on safe and controlled techniques. Coaches should plan sessions to minimise repetitive heading and emphasise quality over quantity. Players should learn to judge the flight of the ball, attack it at the optimum point, and control the direction and distance of the ball upon contact.
Communicating with Coaches and Parents
Spond is an excellent tool for communicating the new youth heading guidance to coaches and parents. With Spond, you can easily share updates, training schedules, and important safety information. This ensures everyone involved is well-informed and on the same page, promoting a cohesive and supportive environment for the players.
New Youth Heading Guidance
The new youth heading guidance by the FA represents a significant shift in youth football, emphasising player safety and skill development. Coaches have a crucial role in adapting their training methods to these new regulations, ensuring young players grow with a strong foundation in essential football skills. By focusing on alternative ball control techniques, core capabilities, and adjusted gameplay rules, coaches can help players navigate this transition smoothly while maintaining the fun and spirit of the game.
For further resources and example sessions to aid in coaching under the youth heading guidance, you can explore more at Team Grassroots and England Football.
By embracing these changes, we can look forward to a safer and more skilful generation of footballers, aided arguably by the best football team management app, Spond.
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