Grassroots football - u7 -u11

[Jacko93]

I'm not sure who in here is involved in kids football as a parent or coach, or anything else, but I think the FA might have just ruined it with their rule changes for next season.

Heading is banned, and a deliberate header is to be punished by an indirect free kick. Throw ins are no longer a thing, they are kick ins, where the ball can be passed or dribbled in, and corners will soon be gone as well. Basically 5-a-side no ovies. Might as well play the game indoors with 3 foot high goals.

More detail is here.

New heading rules for U7-U11 youth football

New rule introduced to phase out heading in youth football over next three seasons

www.thefa.com

Would love to hear people thoughts on this.

 

[COYBL25]

I'm not sure who in here is involved in kids football as a parent or coach, or anything else, but I think the FA might have just ruined it with their rule changes for next season.

Heading is banned, and a deliberate header is to be punished by an indirect free kick. Throw ins are no longer a thing, they are kick ins, where the ball can be passed or dribbled in, and corners will soon be gone as well. Basically 5-a-side no ovies. Might as well play the game indoors with 3 foot high goals.

More detail is here.

New heading rules for U7-U11 youth football

New rule introduced to phase out heading in youth football over next three seasons

www.thefa.com

Would love to hear people thoughts on this.

It won’t happen mate.

The RFU ( Rugby Football Union ) tried to bring in rules last year, that there would be no tacking above the waist for the 11-18 age groups.

There was a national outcry, with a proper full scale petition and current and ex pros wading in.

Needless to say it got binned.

I know there’s s big difference between footy and rugby, but the object was the same - to prevent concussion injuries, in boys that are physically developing, but it would’ve made the game unplayable.

It’ll be the same with footy.

 

[Jacko93]

It won’t happen mate.

The RFU ( Rugby Football Union ) tried to bring in rules last year, that there would be no tacking above the waist for the 11-18 age groups.

There was a national outcry, with a proper full scale petition and current and ex pros wading in.

Needless to say it got binned.

I know there’s s big difference between footy and rugby, but the object was the same - to prevent concussion injuries, in boys that are physically developing, but it would’ve made the game unplayable.

It’ll be the same with footy.

I hope it doesn't happen. I think that it's irresponsible to remove the opportunity for them to head a ball, to then let them loose on everything when they turn 12. Balls will travel much faster, technique will be missing and more damage will happen as a result.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if this is something being led by insurance companies, not football. Not that the people at the top of football are football people anyway.....

Playing 5-a-side at u7s and u8s is bad enough, but if this is implemented its just a completely different game to what we want them involved in.

 

[COYBL25]

I hope it doesn't happen. I think that it's irresponsible to remove the opportunity for them to head a ball, to then let them loose on everything when they turn 12. Balls will travel much faster, technique will be missing and more damage will happen as a result.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if this is something being led by insurance companies, not football. Not that the people at the top of football are football people anyway.....

Playing 5-a-side at u7s and u8s is bad enough, but if this is implemented its just a completely different game to what we want them involved in.

My lad played from the ages of 5-18 and from watching him, most of them don’t start heading a ball until they’re 12/13, as they’re wary of heading it. Plus they don’t go to a full size ball until they’re 14 ( I think )

 

[Nymzee]

My lad played from the ages of 5-18 and from watching him, most of them don’t start heading a ball until they’re 12/13, as they’re wary of heading it. Plus they don’t go to a full size ball until they’re 14 ( I think )

I think the no heading rule might persist. Been rumbling on for years now.

 

[Billy Dean]

Don't see a problem with kick ins instead of throw ins at that age. I guess it's designed to help small kids gain better technique with the ball

 

[tommye]

They'll be banning kicking the ball next in case it damages their precious little feet.

Nanny state gone mad.
Can't we ban the knobheads who come up with this stuff instead?

 

[Alanbileysfeathercut]

In my experience kids hardly head .
Remember the delight of one kid ,up for every free kick ,corner, throw in...

 

[twoblue]

I'm not sure who in here is involved in kids football as a parent or coach, or anything else, but I think the FA might have just ruined it with their rule changes for next season.

Heading is banned, and a deliberate header is to be punished by an indirect free kick. Throw ins are no longer a thing, they are kick ins, where the ball can be passed or dribbled in, and corners will soon be gone as well. Basically 5-a-side no ovies. Might as well play the game indoors with 3 foot high goals.

More detail is here.

New heading rules for U7-U11 youth football

New rule introduced to phase out heading in youth football over next three seasons

www.thefa.com

Would love to hear people thoughts on this.

My sons have played their football with this rule as part of the trial. It didn’t ruin the football, but my eldest is now allowed to header it, and has avoided it. Basically keeps telling me it could give him brain damage… pretty hard to argue against that when he was told he wasn’t allowed to do.
Got to say, the dads shouting “getting a head on it” as the goalie launches a water logged mitre delta to half way line that left you a bit starry for the rest of the match… probably wasn’t that good for you.

 

[twoblue]

I hope it doesn't happen. I think that it's irresponsible to remove the opportunity for them to head a ball, to then let them loose on everything when they turn 12. Balls will travel much faster, technique will be missing and more damage will happen as a result.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if this is something being led by insurance companies, not football. Not that the people at the top of football are football people anyway.....

Playing 5-a-side at u7s and u8s is bad enough, but if this is implemented its just a completely different game to what we want them involved in.

Playing 5 a side, 7 a side and 9 a side is significantly better than 11 a side from the age of 7 and touching the ball twice

 

[Billy Dean]

Playing 5 a side, 7 a side and 9 a side is significantly better than 11 a side from the age of 7 and touching the ball twice

Other countries have already been doing all this for decades

 

[Jacko93]

Playing 5 a side, 7 a side and 9 a side is significantly better than 11 a side from the age of 7 and touching the ball twice

The 7 and 9 a side games I get, but 5 aside at u7 and u8 is a step too far in my opinion. 7 a side helps them develop shape and understanding better with that progressing from there. Also, with it being 5 a side it means that there are more teams. In our club we have 5 teams at this age, that leads to more pressure on officials availability and ultimately coaches who needs wins for their own ego have to referee the game.

I'm good with not encouraging heading the ball, but to.actually penalise it is bordering on farcical. Not to mention the fact that a kid at this age probably heads a ball once a month.

Some teams now effectively have a free kick and can lump the ball in the box everytime it goes out for a throw-in.

 

[twoblue]

The 7 and 9 a side games I get, but 5 aside at u7 and u8 is a step too far in my opinion. 7 a side helps them develop shape and understanding better with that progressing from there. Also, with it being 5 a side it means that there are more teams. In our club we have 5 teams at this age, that leads to more pressure on officials availability and ultimately coaches who needs wins for their own ego have to referee the game.

I'm good with not encouraging heading the ball, but to.actually penalise it is bordering on farcical. Not to mention the fact that a kid at this age probably heads a ball once a month.

Some teams now effectively have a free kick and can lump the ball in the box everytime it goes out for a throw-in.

Honestly mate, the kids are only kids for such a small amount of time. It’s seems important and before you know it they are playing 7, then 9 then 11 a side.
Happens in flash… enjoy all the stages.

At 11 a side the biggest kids tend to dominate until smaller kids catch up.

 

[Jacko93]

Honestly mate, the kids are only kids for such a small amount of time. It’s seems important and before you know it they are playing 7, then 9 then 11 a side.
Happens in flash… enjoy all the stages.

At 11 a side the biggest kids tend to dominate until smaller kids catch up.

At 5 a side though, teams only need one stand out player and they'll do it all, meaning that the other kids don't get the chance properly. I see it all the time.

I get how quick they move through the years, but I am of the opinion that they are stunted in u7s and u8s.

 

[Huyton Layne]

I coach U11 in the US.
Throw ins are a mess. The amount that get called foul is over 50% even though all coaches are teaching how to do them.
Heading is banned here and it's a good idea at this age. For the brain disease element but also kids this age aren't all that coordinated, wouldn't want to.think about clashing heads if the ball's swung into the box.
Slides are banned at this age, too. Just asking for trouble if you let young kids go to ground.
Also we're 9v9 on a smaller field with smaller goals. Much better than having acres not being filled or used or goals that can't be defended as the goalie to goal size ratio is ridiculous