Heads you lose?

[boots60]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45110282

 

The debate on heading in football continues with another "Expert" opinion.

The football was certainly heavier back in the day & there could  be a point made for the possible long term damage it may have caused.

Today's match ball is a completely different matter. Much lighter & brain cell friendly.

I sincerely hope we do not move down the "health & safety" route suggested by some medical bods or it could be another blow (sic) for our beloved game.

 

Any Opinions. Expert or otherwise?

[SouthStandUpperTier]

There's a simple solution to this. If you're worried about the effects of heading a football, don't play football. Same as if you don't like getting punched in the face, don't set foot in a boxing ring.

Edited 8 August 2018 by SouthStandUpperTier

[davieG]

I can see the need to ban it for kids, as I still see some as young 6/7/8 doing heading practice irrespective as to whether there is clear evidence as I don't think it's that necessary for them to do so and still get a decent game of football. In fact it could help them develop their ball control and general footwork.

Beyond that I guess it's up to the individual ensuring they get the full facts from several sources.

[yorkie1999]

I think the simpler solution would be to ban every medical expert from having a opinion in the media as almost every sport has a potential medical risk to it, even ping pong as i found out to my cost on holiday after slipping on a wet floor whilst barefoot and whacking my elbow which could come back to haunt me in later life and become a burden on the nhs.

[Stadt]

I'd imagine the amount of headers per game has trended downwards and will continue to do so, there's a greater emphasis on keeping the ball and the ball being in the air is inherently riskier to a possession approach and that's reflected in training. Repeated head trauma isn't great for the brain obviously but lighter balls and less headers will mean it'll only get safer.

[Manwell Pablo]

It'll never be removed from the game and I feel very strongly that it should be either unless the risk is proven to be a lot higher than it is currently assumed to be. I am all for trying to understand the effects of it better, educate players on possible effects so they can make an informed choice, and doing what we can to limit damage through ball designs etc but removing  heading is simply not the answer, it's a core part of football.

 

it must be hard to lose a family member but most of these men with dementia Styles, Peters, and Geoff Astel when he died, were/are old men approaching their late 70's. 79 is the average life expectancy in the UK...we all have to die of something it is an unfortunate fact of life. Plus, I admit it's an assumption as we wont know until we get there, but heading a modern ball would not have the same effect on the brain as an old one, I imagine the moisture the balls used to absorb back when they were playing played a huge part in causing damage and this is no longer an issue in this day and age.

[ozleicester]

The style of the game has changed enormously (not tomention the balls). Back in the day as a centre half i regularly headed the keepers long kicks i would say an average of 5 times a game, these days youll be lucky to see one long punt.

[mancunianfox]

I don't think this is as much of an issue as it is sports like Rugby or American Football. Football needs to be more careful about how it treats concussions (Karius in the CL is a good example) but phasing out heading seems way too far. 

[The Horse's Mouth]

Football without headers wouldnt be football 

[Sir Shep]

Just play with a balloon instead, it would take 30 minutes to get from one end to another and a game would be postponed if there was more than a gentle breeze but hey, it’d keep the “experts” happy. Might just add that you may need to feed the crowd a lot of alcohol in order for them to provide their own entertainment!

[yorkie1999]

Wonder how many goalies get brain illnesses, if it’s relative to outfield players, then it kinda debunks the theory.

[davieG]

We've had a fair few gamed in the past where the ball was in the so much you'd have thought we were playing with a balloon