Boxing, Kickboxing, and Heading the ball

[vasco de gama]

Tragic news about the young kickboxer that just died. Clearly there are serious questions needing addressed, and I'm sure they have been addressed many times, in the world of youth boxing and kickboxing. However, my main sport is football and have noticed the increasing evidence that perhaps heading the ball many many times isn't really such a great idea. Where do we all see this issue going?

Here, in the the USA, youth 'soccer' has already banned all heading of the ball in under 12 games, and we are not allowed to teach it in practices under age 11. From next season goalkeepers are no longer allowed to punt the ball in the under 10 age level - so there is less chance of a player instinctively heading the ball when a big goalie kick thunders down the pitch. Corners and goal kicks are still allowed.
Is the same thing happening in Scotland?

I get the feeling that eventually (30 years or so) down the line heading might get banned completely by FIFA.

Any thoughts?

 

[Daddy 'O' Hibee]

The balls in the modern game must be a lot lighter,with no water retention in comparison with the 50s&60s type ball, no stats to back it up but remember being lashed with a rain sodden lace on a ball "ouch" real concerns have been raised as regards dimensia prominent in older footballers. Big part of the game, hard to see it ever being removed, but one never knows. Sad news as regards the young kickboxer, tough sport Indeed.

 

[vasco de gama]

The balls in the modern game must be a lot lighter,with no water retention in comparison with the 50s&60s type ball, no stats to back it up but remember being lashed with a rain sodden lace on a ball "ouch" real concerns have been raised as regards dimensia prominent in older footballers. Big part of the game, hard to see it ever being removed, but one never knows. Sad news as regards the young kickboxer, tough sport Indeed.

That's my gut reaction as well - the super hard mitre balls we used back in the 1970s or the old leather (rain soaked) ball seemed much harder and potentially damaging than the balls we use today. Really needs proper research and I feel here the banning comes from a fear of massive lawsuits rather than a real belief it is bad for the kids. In the games I've been coaching the last 3 years I reckon there's been about 2 or 3 headers tops per game and its usually a kid that knows exactly how to header properly. Kids still get smacked in the head by shots and clearances so I feel the banning isn't really addressing the true cause of the limited number of concussions we get. I do think without proper research there's a chance they will ban it to avoid lawsuits plus it makes it look like they are doing stuff when they should be focusing on blatant cheating and bribery in the game!

 

[broonieboy]

There was a bit in the Sunday Times there saying it may not have as much impact as they had thought.


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[Daddy 'O' Hibee]

That's my gut reaction as well - the super hard mitre balls we used back in the 1970s or the old leather (rain soaked) ball seemed much harder and potentially damaging than the balls we use today. Really needs proper research and I feel here the banning comes from a fear of massive lawsuits rather than a real belief it is bad for the kids. In the games I've been coaching the last 3 years I reckon there's been about 2 or 3 headers tops per game and its usually a kid that knows exactly how to header properly. Kids still get smacked in the head by shots and clearances so I feel the banning isn't really addressing the true cause of the limited number of concussions we get. I do think without proper research there's a chance they will ban it to avoid lawsuits plus it makes it look like they are doing stuff when they should be focusing on blatant cheating and bribery in the game!

Was the mitre ball the mould master? That left a terrible mark on your body if hit by force, worse if full on the face on a winters day, the amount of money in the modern day football will see players signing disclaimers as regards injury. I do believe personally that centre halves,in particular, may suffer head injury, definitely in the days of Billy McNeill , whose family believe heading the ball contributed to his dementia. Research I'm sure will have facts as regards contact sports, boxing, cage fighting, etc. Best wishes with the coaching.

 

[BurbankHibee]

Tragic news about the young kickboxer that just died. Clearly there are serious questions needing addressed, and I'm sure they have been addressed many times, in the world of youth boxing and kickboxing. However, my main sport is football and have noticed the increasing evidence that perhaps heading the ball many many times isn't really such a great idea. Where do we all see this issue going?

Here, in the the USA, youth 'soccer' has already banned all heading of the ball in under 12 games, and we are not allowed to teach it in practices under age 11. From next season goalkeepers are no longer allowed to punt the ball in the under 10 age level - so there is less chance of a player instinctively heading the ball when a big goalie kick thunders down the pitch. Corners and goal kicks are still allowed.
Is the same thing happening in Scotland?

I get the feeling that eventually (30 years or so) down the line heading might get banned completely by FIFA.

Any thoughts?

I wouldn't be too upset to see heading the ball banned. I've often thought it dangerous, no so much from the repetitive heading of the ball but the potential injury from a clash of heads when some fearless bampot goes up for a header. I don't think there is much doubt that repeated bangs on the noggin is not a good thing. My playing days are long gone but I was never keen on heading the heavy ball back in the day. And I certainly would never go up for a header with another player for fear of injury.

 

[Hammi]

I think it's more to do with the battles players had in those days.
I don't think players nowadays will have anywhere near the same problems.