BBC: Heading soccer balls "affects memory"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Can any of you even walk and chew gum at the same time???

[Anonymous]

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

Exactly! You can't remember.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I hope you are right that they are taking the issue seriously. I think I mostly agree with you but wanted to clarify a couple of points. About USA soccer, I do think bashing is somewhat appropriate, but the weaknesses are generally a lack of skill with the ball at their feet, movement without the ball, and speed of ball movement. None of these have anything to do with heading.
About neurological consensus, I agree with you, but I don't think it is limited to your claim. The study in question was done in adults. So, I agree that subconcussive blows are important, and that the risks that they pose to children are important, but I think that the science, though open, is heading in the direction that these impacts might be important for adults too.
At least soccer is not a lost cause. I'm convinced that there is no way to play football safely. Soccer could just eliminate heading, and though the game would change in a number of ways, it would still be recognizable as soccer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I hope you are right that they are taking the issue seriously. I think I mostly agree with you but wanted to clarify a couple of points. About USA soccer, I do think bashing is somewhat appropriate, but the weaknesses are generally a lack of skill with the ball at their feet, movement without the ball, and speed of ball movement. None of these have anything to do with heading.
About neurological consensus, I agree with you, but I don't think it is limited to your claim. The study in question was done in adults. So, I agree that subconcussive blows are important, and that the risks that they pose to children are important, but I think that the science, though open, is heading in the direction that these impacts might be important for adults too.
At least soccer is not a lost cause. I'm convinced that there is no way to play football safely. Soccer could just eliminate heading, and though the game would change in a number of ways, it would still be recognizable as soccer.

All true.

There's plenty of room to bash the USA, but it's nowhere near as simple as some people like to pretend. And heading? It's what the USA does well! Think Brian McBride or Abby Wambach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Exactly! You can't remember.

Fewer headers and you would understand anecdote vs. data

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Exactly! You can't remember.

Perhaps you aren't the best judge of how fine you are?

[Anonymous]

The irony about kids heading the ball is that 9 times out of 10 they'd have been better off taking it on the chest so it drops at their feet. The ping ponging is "cool" but achieves nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can honestly admit that I don't give a shit about World Cup soccer or the place that the US holds amongst other countries. My kids aren't going to play World Cup soccer. I do care about my children's brains. Old fashioned like that.

Well, most European countries are well ahead of us in most education indicators, despite playing soccer, so there must be more important things to pay attention to...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Exactly! You can't remember.

Perhaps you aren't the best judge of how fine you are?

I assumed he was joking. No?

[Anonymous]

Well, duh.

Come on people. Isn't it logical that hitting one's head repeatedly would have consequences? Especially if you start as a kid with a still-developing brain?

Seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Can any of you even walk and chew gum at the same time???

Any of who?

I'm sorry -- you can apparently do synchronized swimming better than actual synchronized swimmers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The irony about kids heading the ball is that 9 times out of 10 they'd have been better off taking it on the chest so it drops at their feet. The ping ponging is "cool" but achieves nothing.

Boys on our rec and travel teams (U11) have naturally adapted to this. It does allow for more control. Having made the adjustment, it wouldn't surprise me if they continue to do this in games during U12, even though headers are allowed for U12+ travel teams.

[Anonymous]

An interesting take. Some parents don't want their kids wearing headgear because they might be more aggressive on the field. How about just asking them to be careful with or without a helmet.

http://www.today.com/parents/helmets-soccer-why-some-parents-are-saying-no-thanks-8C11359522

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The irony about kids heading the ball is that 9 times out of 10 they'd have been better off taking it on the chest so it drops at their feet. The ping ponging is "cool" but achieves nothing.

Boys on our rec and travel teams (U11) have naturally adapted to this. It does allow for more control. Having made the adjustment, it wouldn't surprise me if they continue to do this in games during U12, even though headers are allowed for U12+ travel teams.

They will do some, because there are times it is the right soccer move. My observation after a ton of games is that most are unnecessary so hopefully your kids will have good judgement.

[Anonymous]

Just watched Barcelona play live and heading was a HUGE part of the game.

Trying to imagine a World Cup where we send a US National team that never mastered the skill....

I think parents can opt out of the sport, but let's not fundamentally change a sport that has been around for 100s of years.

My kids don't play American football or box. I don't lobby to take out tackling or punching in those sports.

All sports have some degree of danger. It's your prerogative to choose one for your own child after weighing the risks.

Create your own sport even if you like.