👀 Among the first clubs: Champions League side bans youth headers | OneFootball

Headers are now off-limits in Como’s youth setup!

The Italian top-flight club has announced that headers will be banned in its youth academy until the players are ready for them. 

Como is thus among the first clubs to take such far-reaching measures to reduce the risk of avoidable head impacts. Instead, the focus will be placed more strongly on long-term technical development.

Once the players are ready, they will be gradually introduced to the technique of heading.

These are the reasons

“I have said several times how important it is to take head impacts in football seriously and to protect our children as best as possible,” said former United and Real defender Raphael Varane, who sits on the club’s education board.

“Young players need clear rules, good training, understanding, and a culture in which health and safety come first. This approach reduces unnecessary head contact in the youngest age groups, when the brain is still developing. Later on, heading technique will then be taught properly, in a controlled and gradual way.”

This is what it will look like

For players up to U11 level, headers are completely banned. Corners will instead be taken as low throw-ins.

From U12 onwards, headers may be introduced carefully—initially with a light rubber ball. However, this is allowed at most once per month and is limited to a maximum of five headers per training session.

Across all age groups in the Como academy, coaches are also expected to reduce “repeated and unnecessary heading exposure.” In addition, care will be taken not to use excessively inflated balls.

What do you think of this measure? Good and understandable, or a bit too much considering that headers are simply part of the game at professional level? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 PIERO CRUCIATTI - AFP or licensors