Heading the ball (1 Viewer)

Houchens Head · Dec 9, 2024

Just wondering what people's thoughts are regarding the idea of making heading footballs an "issue"? (As in BBC News).
Personally, I think it's all bollox. Players have been heading the ball for decades. Years ago, when the ball was made of thick leather and a bloody great lace holding it together, was what they had to put up with, but these days, the balls are much lighter. How many fantastic goals have been headed home? You only need to look at my avatar to be reminded of one of the greatest headed goals ever!
I might be totally wrong in my way of thinking, and I'll accept judgement, but would love to hear other posters views.

fatso · Dec 9, 2024

Houchens Head said:
Just wondering what people's thoughts are regarding the idea of making heading footballs an "issue"? (As in BBC News).
Personally, I think it's all bollox. Players have been heading the ball for decades. Years ago, when the ball was made of thick leather and a bloody great lace holding it together, was what they had to put up with, but these days, the balls are much lighter. How many fantastic goals have been headed home? You only need to look at my avatar to be reminded of one of the greatest headed goals ever!
I might be totally wrong in my way of thinking, and I'll accept judgement, but would love to hear other posters views.

I think you've summed it up well.
And I wouldn't listen too much to the BBC, they've become a very bizarre organisation.
Maybe they should look at clearing out the nonces and abusers that appear to have infested them, rather than looking at footballs.

Otis · Dec 9, 2024

I can definitely understand it with the older, heavier footballs of yesteryear.

Needs more research and study.

Rugby seems to have a much bigger problem than football, you would have to say.

ovduk78 · Dec 9, 2024

Isn't the issue with modern footballs the speed they can travel at?

clint van damme · Dec 9, 2024

ovduk78 said:
Isn't the issue with modern footballs the speed they can travel at?

Yes, the 'old leather ball' stuff isn't correct.

Sky Blue Pete · Dec 9, 2024

We know repeated trauma causes damage and yet we think it’s woke ffs come on guys

clint van damme · Dec 9, 2024

Otis said:
I can definitely understand it with the older, heavier footballs of yesteryear.

Needs more research and study.

Rugby seems to have a much bigger problem than football, you would have to say.

This is in the news again because of a new major study.

ovduk78 · Dec 9, 2024

It still shocks me that Boxing is still allowed, I suppose they are worried that if it is banned it will still carry on unlicensed.

ovduk78 · Dec 9, 2024

My son played in a game last week against a team of u17s who didn't contest any headers when defending corners and from their own corners the ball wasn't hit in the air.

clint van damme · Dec 9, 2024

ovduk78 said:
It still shocks me that Boxing is still allowed, I suppose they are worried that if it is banned it will still carry on unlicensed.

The fella whos done the study about heading the ball is saying it should be reduced in training as that's where the majority of heading takes place

Similarly there's talk about reducing the number of rounds of sparring in boxing.

Heard Carl Frampton been interviewed and he said when he looks back on his career he realises he did hundreds of rounds of sparring that there was really no need to do

Sky_Blue_Dreamer · Dec 9, 2024

I think it would be naive just to dismiss it. How many times do we reckon footballers head a ball over a career, from childhood to retirement, especially CB's.

And for the heavy old leather ball with the rain, the main point is the force of the ball. Mass x velocity. So while the ball was heavier, people couldn't kick it as hard, especially as boots were not as good. Current balls might be lighter but player can absolutely smash them really hard. Also think about the amount of conditioning done now so I'd imagine players have far more muscle mass and strength in their legs.

fatso · Dec 9, 2024

Sky Blue Pete said:
We know repeated trauma causes damage and yet we think it’s woke ffs come on guys

Well surely they should look at Boxing before football shouldn't they?

Houchens Head · Dec 9, 2024

Sky_Blue_Dreamer said:
.......especially as boots were not as good......

When I played many moons ago (started in early 1960's), I had a heavy pair of solid leather boots with solid studs and steel toe caps. Those old footballs could be kicked just as hard!

wingy · Dec 9, 2024

I was only considering this the other week, I think they'll be wearing protective helmets at some point.

Otis · Dec 9, 2024

clint van damme said:
Yes, the 'old leather ball' stuff isn't correct.

Oh, isn't it? I always thought they said it was. I take it the science has changed then.

SkyBlueCharlie9 · Dec 9, 2024

fatso said:
I think you've summed it up well.
And I wouldn't listen too much to the BBC, they've become a very bizarre organisation.
Maybe they should look at clearing out the nonces and abusers that appear to have infested them, rather than looking at footballs.

Honestly, any opportunity to embarrass yourself!

Sky_Blue_Dreamer · Dec 9, 2024

Houchens Head said:
When I played many moons ago (started in early 1960's), I had a heavy pair of solid leather boots with solid studs and steel toe caps. Those old footballs could be kicked just as hard!

But while they were heavy and solid, you wouldn't be able to swing your foot as fast. Not saying people couldn't kick it hard (probably needed the protection given the weight of the ball) but I reckon it would even itself out to some degree.

We've seen examples that it seems quite likely that the old heavy footballs have had long term effects. But those didn't manifest for a number of years. Basically we won't know if the lighter balls being hit harder are going to have been an issue for a while yet. My suspicion is that they will.

Nick · Dec 9, 2024

ovduk78 said:
My son played in a game last week against a team of u17s who didn't contest any headers when defending corners and from their own corners the ball wasn't hit in the air.

Isn't it banned for kids football now?

Will be interesting what Professional football will look like when none of the players know how to header.

SkyBlueCharlie9 · Dec 9, 2024

Playing in 80s and heading those solid mitre balls from high goal kicks left me dazed and confused a lot for a few seconds! Might have to be outlawed as FA/FIFA/UEFA/Clubs will be sued by individual employees.... (nowt to do with BBC or Nonces...... Fatso!). Kids football has been trialled with no heading which helps focus on passing and movement instead but need to learn how to do it properly for those moving into men's football. One way to reduce it is to say no heading from goal kicks and only crosses and corners where ball is not traveling quite so fast. No easy solution. Heading is a great part of the entertainment as Chris woods goal for Forest on Saturday proved.

djr8369 · Dec 9, 2024

Houchens Head said:
Personally, I think it's all bollox.

But your opinion is meaningless.

The studies are there and quite clear.

Sky Blue Pete · Dec 9, 2024

fatso said:
Well surely they should look at Boxing before football shouldn't they?

Think they are

clint van damme · Dec 9, 2024

Just to be clear, the fella that's produced this new study isn't trying to ban heading, he wants to reduce the amount of heading in training as this where by far the most amount of heading occurs

He did quote the numbers but I cant remember them.

Sky Blue Pete · Dec 9, 2024

Nick said:
Isn't it banned for kids football now?

Will be interesting what Professional football will look like when none of the players know how to header.

U10 I think

Covkid1968# · Dec 9, 2024

Don’t have a problem if the game is adapted properly. Star players get well rewarded.. so for me it’s the grass roots that the protection should start with.

hill83 · Dec 9, 2024

Nick said:
Isn't it banned for kids football now?

Will be interesting what Professional football will look like when none of the players know how to header.

Not banned in my lads Sunday league year but will be next year. Under 10s.

Grendel · Dec 9, 2024

SkyBlueCharlie9 said:
Playing in 80s and heading those solid mitre balls from high goal kicks left me dazed and confused

That explains a lot Charles

fatso · Dec 9, 2024

SkyBlueCharlie9 said:
Playing in 80s and heading those solid mitre balls from high goal kicks left me dazed and confused

Reading this, I've changed my mind, as clearly the damage is long term.

duffer · Dec 9, 2024

Houchens Head said:
Just wondering what people's thoughts are regarding the idea of making heading footballs an "issue"? (As in BBC News).
Personally, I think it's all bollox. Players have been heading the ball for decades. Years ago, when the ball was made of thick leather and a bloody great lace holding it together, was what they had to put up with, but these days, the balls are much lighter. How many fantastic goals have been headed home? You only need to look at my avatar to be reminded of one of the greatest headed goals ever!
I might be totally wrong in my way of thinking, and I'll accept judgement, but would love to hear other posters views.

If the studies show that there is an increased risk of permanent brain injury from heading, and that it's worse in children (because their brains are still developing, and their physical structures are different), then my personal opinion is that it's quite right that we look to protect them.

And the studies do seem to show this, it's nothing to do with BBC bias or nonces, it's science.

CTE and dementia are brutal, terrifying, life changing, conditions. Would you really want to expose your kids to the added risk of that unnecessarily?

I'm not so sure mate, I think this is one where we should seriously consider the medical advice rather than perhaps jumping to conclusions based on our own experience.

Heading Ban in Kids' Grassroots Football

By Steven Astley, GLP Solicitors

braininjurygroup.co.uk

SkyBlueCharlie9 · Dec 10, 2024

fatso said:
Reading this, I've changed my mind, as clearly the damage is long term.

One day you might post something well informed and researched. You are the clown criticising the BBC and 'wokeness' for reporting on links between brain injuries and heading footballs.

fatso · Dec 10, 2024

SkyBlueCharlie9 said:
One day you might post something well informed and researched. You are the clown criticising the BBC and 'wokeness' for reporting on links between brain injuries and heading footballs.

Where have I mentioned "wokeness"?
I'm criticising the BBC for their history of covering up for abusers who they continued to employ, often without investigation, (sometimes for years) after numerous independant allegations where made.

I've no idea what your agenda is, but I suggest in future you might take a little more time to actually read my posts rather than trying to apply your own warped narrative.

I laughed at your comment suggesting that I should be the one needing to be more informed and researched! ..Oh such irony!

Skyblueweeman · Dec 10, 2024

clint van damme said:
He did quote the numbers but I cant remember them.

Did you head the ball a lot when you were younger Clint?

SkyBlueCharlie9 · Dec 10, 2024

fatso said:
Where have I mentioned "wokeness"?
I'm criticising the BBC for their history of covering up for abusers who they continued to employ, often without investigation, (sometimes for years) after numerous independant allegations where made.

I've no idea what your agenda is, but I suggest in future you might take a little more time to actually read my posts rather than trying to apply your own warped narrative.

I laughed at your comment suggesting that I should be the one needing to be more informed and researched! ..Oh such irony!

No agenda and not trying to wind you up.. You criticised the BBC for reporting on potential heading ban mate, ffs. Did Daily Mail and GBNews not report on it? Most media outlets did.
We know what your agenda is, blame BBC as much as you can for everything and ignore other big organisations and private companies where similar atrocities have been carried out. Seems like you bring this and many other distorted RW perspectives into almost every thread without fail..... even the football ones. Your right to do so I guess but I'll always call it out where it's not relevant to the discussion.

clint van damme · Dec 10, 2024

Skyblueweeman said:
Did you head the ball a lot when you were younger Clint?

without doubt the worse aspect of my game, (not that the others were great!)

David O'Day · Dec 10, 2024

fatso said:
I think you've summed it up well.
And I wouldn't listen too much to the BBC, they've become a very bizarre organisation.
Maybe they should look at clearing out the nonces and abusers that appear to have infested them, rather than looking at footballs.

Tell that to people like Jeff Astle's family

You utter bellend

ccfctommy · Dec 10, 2024

fatso said:
I think you've summed it up well.
And I wouldn't listen too much to the BBC, they've become a very bizarre organisation.
Maybe they should look at clearing out the nonces and abusers that appear to have infested them, rather than looking at footballs.

wow

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