BBC: Heading soccer balls "affects memory"

[Anonymous]

Nobody's suggesting that MLS will outlaw heading. But as more and more research emerges to show that normal heading of the ball DAMAGES THE BRAIN, parents will urge youth clubs, leagues, schools, and US Soccer to do something. Just as educated parents have abandoned youth football in droves, refusing to let their kids even try out, travel leagues will see fewer and fewer kids vying for spots. Since they operate on a selective but pay-to-play model, this will have immediate impact. When the $$ speaks, US Soccer will listen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the tide of research is going to lead to a ban in the next five years for even more age levels, and in the next decade there will be a serious discussion about a rule change for all leagues.

We've seen it before with hockey helmets and visors, we'll see more of it in football rule changes still to come, and we're going to see it in soccer as the research, and eventual big lawsuits, pushes FIFA to respond.

The research in soccer pro leagues will lead to similar reactions as football and hockey. Heading won't be banned but an official concussion protocol will be mandated for all leagues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the tide of research is going to lead to a ban in the next five years for even more age levels, and in the next decade there will be a serious discussion about a rule change for all leagues.

We've seen it before with hockey helmets and visors, we'll see more of it in football rule changes still to come, and we're going to see it in soccer as the research, and eventual big lawsuits, pushes FIFA to respond.

FIFA won't give a shit.

We are the only country in the entire World that will oppose it. Since we are non-existent presence in FIFA it won't matter at all.

MLS can outlaw it all they want.

Well, if we can head the ball now and already are such a non-existent presence, I guess US soccer making this ban won't actually turn us into "pussy soccer" as it seems everyone knows we already play "pussy soccer"....so what's really being lost here? We go from sucking to sucking worse? Cry me a river.

[Anonymous]

You grabbed me with that terminology, but I don't understand the argument. The U.S. has historically been known, fair or not, for playing overly athletic, manly-man soccer that lacks skill and subtlety. Please get your slurs straight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You grabbed me with that terminology, but I don't understand the argument. The U.S. has historically been known, fair or not, for playing overly athletic, manly-man soccer that lacks skill and subtlety. Please get your slurs straight.

I'm quoting the previous poster who claimed this.

[Anonymous]

My 12 year old made a beautiful header this weekend in her game.

[Anonymous]

Does she remember it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nobody's suggesting that MLS will outlaw heading. But as more and more research emerges to show that normal heading of the ball DAMAGES THE BRAIN, parents will urge youth clubs, leagues, schools, and US Soccer to do something. Just as educated parents have abandoned youth football in droves, refusing to let their kids even try out, travel leagues will see fewer and fewer kids vying for spots. Since they operate on a selective but pay-to-play model, this will have immediate impact. When the $$ speaks, US Soccer will listen.

How quickly will this happen, do you think?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the tide of research is going to lead to a ban in the next five years for even more age levels, and in the next decade there will be a serious discussion about a rule change for all leagues.

We've seen it before with hockey helmets and visors, we'll see more of it in football rule changes still to come, and we're going to see it in soccer as the research, and eventual big lawsuits, pushes FIFA to respond.

The research in soccer pro leagues will lead to similar reactions as football and hockey. Heading won't be banned but an official concussion protocol will be mandated for all leagues.

This is an entirely different issue. It's not about concussions caused by collisions on the field or a poorly-taken header during a game. It's about players practicing headers over and over again during regular practice, and then taking "normal" headers during games, and the damage that this sub-concussive trauma (= trauma that's well below the level of a possible concussion) may be causing.

And it's about parents, coaches, schools, and US soccer officials knowingly exposing minors to this danger. Obviously there is more research to be done, but parents would be wise to follow the research carefully and be prepared to hold US Soccer's feet to the fire. For 99% of our kids, their brains will matter much more for the rest of their lives than will their ability to score a goal off a corner kick with a perfect header.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nobody's suggesting that MLS will outlaw heading. But as more and more research emerges to show that normal heading of the ball DAMAGES THE BRAIN, parents will urge youth clubs, leagues, schools, and US Soccer to do something. Just as educated parents have abandoned youth football in droves, refusing to let their kids even try out, travel leagues will see fewer and fewer kids vying for spots. Since they operate on a selective but pay-to-play model, this will have immediate impact. When the $$ speaks, US Soccer will listen.

The money HAS spoken. Legal threats prompted the new policies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does she remember it?

This could explain her social studies grade....

[Anonymous]

Look, USA-bashers -- you may think you're more sophisticated than your neighbors who don't have accents. You're not. You're stuck in the 1980s. Your knowledge of pre-Premier League English football history doesn't amount to a hill of beans when it comes to modern understanding of the game.

Nor can you simply scoff that players are injured only in collisions, not the act of heading the ball itself. The neurological consensus is that young players who don't have fully developed skulls and neck muscles are at risk for long-term damage from subconcussive blows.

If you have a refutation of that consensus, please do share it.

In the meantime, if you don't think UEFA and FIFA are taking this issue seriously, just wait.

[Anonymous]

What a load of crap. I can't even remember how many times I've headed the ball, and I'm perfectly fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nobody's suggesting that MLS will outlaw heading. But as more and more research emerges to show that normal heading of the ball DAMAGES THE BRAIN, parents will urge youth clubs, leagues, schools, and US Soccer to do something. Just as educated parents have abandoned youth football in droves, refusing to let their kids even try out, travel leagues will see fewer and fewer kids vying for spots. Since they operate on a selective but pay-to-play model, this will have immediate impact. When the $$ speaks, US Soccer will listen.

And the anti/football went into soccer...fucking take up synchronized swimming or rhythmic gymnastics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nobody's suggesting that MLS will outlaw heading. But as more and more research emerges to show that normal heading of the ball DAMAGES THE BRAIN, parents will urge youth clubs, leagues, schools, and US Soccer to do something. Just as educated parents have abandoned youth football in droves, refusing to let their kids even try out, travel leagues will see fewer and fewer kids vying for spots. Since they operate on a selective but pay-to-play model, this will have immediate impact. When the $$ speaks, US Soccer will listen.

And the anti/football went into soccer...fucking take up synchronized swimming or rhythmic gymnastics.

Actually a serious concussion problem in synchro these days. They've had to put in concussion protocols.

Probably less risk of an accumulation of sub-concussive blows, though.