Should The Rules Of Football Be Changed So That Players No Longer ...

[sandyRoe]

...need to head the ball?

An article in the Telegraph yesterday featured an interview with former England player, Dave Watson, and his wife.

He now suffers from dementia. I don't know if this was caused by injuries received while playing, but it's a possibility.

[barry1010]

There has been debate about the connection between football headers and dementia for years.

Some studies showed there is no increased risk; another study the risk increased by 50%.

One study showed that fewer goalkeepers got dementia than their team mates, suggesting it was because goalkeepers don't head the ball.

Other studies have shown that boxers are more prone to early onset dementia. 

Maybe it is time that headers were shown the red card.

[Patsy33]

Very interesting. It's not normal to use the head like that. I can't see it changing though...

[Khandro]

The footballs of yesteryear were much heavier than the modern ones. They were made of panels of leather and the treated with dubbin, - a sort of grease making them very heavy to head.

When you see a goalkeeper today kicking a ball deep into the other half it couldn't have been done with an older football, they were too heavy to travel that distance.

[Ken4155]

Isn't it already banned at junior level (9 - 11 year olds)? 

I don't think there's a cat in hell's chance of it being introduced to professional football as it is a fundamental part of the game.

[Clone]

It affects both sexes the same, so no, ridiculous idea.

 

[chelle7272]

Yes, it is banned a junior level for 7-9 year olds and this will be extended to other age groups year on year. 

The FA have restricted use of headers in training and players are encouraged to uses particular techniques and neck muscle exercises to the reduce th impact.

 

[Khandro]

Perhaps they could introduce a simpler version of the rugby player's head guard ?

[tomus42]

As long as there's a sport called boxing with involves deliberately pummelling each others heads, it seems strange to tinker with things like this.

As ttt says, the balls these days are like beach balls compared to the old ones.

[New Judge]

"Perhaps they could introduce a simpler version of the rugby player's head guard ?"

I don't think it would help much, Khandro.

As I understand it, the damage occurs when the brain strikes the inside of the skull during the heading process (the skull itself decelerates whilst the brain keeps moving within it). Protective headgear would only prevent external damage to the skull which is not the issue.

Of course they could simply ban heading. The clue, after all, is in the name of the game.

 

[Old_Geezer]

Perhaps they could replace heading with catching & running.  And maybe squash the ball so it's more oval, maybe ?