How headers are prohibited at younger levels: doctor explains
According to Tuttomercatoweb.
Why this matters
Como's decision to ban heading at younger levels reflects a growing concern about the brain health of young athletes, an issue that has gained prominence in football. The initiative, driven by Raphael Varane, aims to protect children from potential injuries, especially during a critical stage of development. This innovative approach could influence other clubs in Serie A and beyond, promoting a safer environment for young players.
Main conclusions
- How headers are prohibited at younger levels: doctor explains.
- Como will ban headings at U7 to U11 levels.
- No ai colpi di forehead per i più piccoli, il medico del Como: "Per Varane è una priorità".
Como will move forward, next season, with a ban on headers at younger levels, from Under-7s to Under-11s. The measure, in line with a growing concern in football about the brain health and safety of young people, has the strong support of Raphael Varane, who over the last few years has spoken publicly on the issue.
The decision was confirmed by Marco Salvucci, medical coordinator at the Italian club, in statements to the newspaper Tuttosport. The official highlighted that, for the French international, this is a priority in his work linked to grassroots football and that Como's guidelines for the development of young people will reflect this concern: the objective is to remove the technical gesture of heading from sessions at U7 to U11 levels, in a phase of growth in which the aim is to reduce exposure to impacts to the head.
In addition to the new rule, the club will monitor the project throughout the season. Salvucci explained that, although the training structure does not have the same technological resources as professional teams, systematic monitoring procedures will be implemented: at the end of training, coaches and staff will complete specific reports that will allow them to collect useful information for later analysis. With a sufficient sample, the intention is to submit the data to scientific evaluation to understand what indications and results emerge from this change in the training process.
The discussion about headings in youth football has gained space on the international agenda, with several entities and clubs introducing limits and guidelines for younger ages. Como thus joins a trend that favors caution at initiation ages, without losing sight of technical and tactical development in the medium term. In practice, coaches and training coordinators will adapt exercises and conditioned games, favoring receptions, driving, passing and finishing without resorting to aerial play with the head in the categories covered.
Raphael Varane, world champion for France and an active voice on welfare issues in football, has insisted on the need to protect children in a sporting context. Their influence on Como's decision is recognized internally, with the medical department framing the initiative as part of a broader responsible training strategy. The club intends, with this experience, to collect evidence that helps guide good practices for the development of its young athletes.
Without moving towards early goals or conclusions, Como's medical structure reinforces that the results of monitoring — via reports and continuous observation on the ground — will be decisive in assessing the impact of the measure throughout the season. For now, the signal is clear: protecting the health of young people is a priority and Como is willing to lead by example.
What happens next
Como will monitor the implementation of this new rule throughout the season, collecting data that will be analyzed scientifically. Through reports completed by coaches and staff, the club hopes to assess the effectiveness of the ban and adjust its training practices as necessary. The success of this initiative could lead to the wider adoption of similar measures at other Serie A clubs and in youth football in general.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to the header ban at Como?
Como has decided to ban headers at younger levels, from Under-7s to Under-11s, from next season.
Who confirmed the decision on the header ban?
The decision was confirmed by Marco Salvucci, coordinator of Como's medical area.
Why is Como implementing this ban now?
The measure is a response to growing concerns about the brain health and safety of young players.
What changes will Como implement in the training of young players?
Como will remove the technical gesture of heading from training sessions at U7 to U11 levels.
How will the impact of the new rule on Como be monitored?
The club will monitor the project throughout the season, with coaches and staff completing specific reports after training.