I am undecided on the header rules. The vast majority of concussions that I have seen did not come from heading the ball. They were the result of collisions with other players and contact with the ground as result of collisions with other players. The only way to stop them would be to ban contact which in my opinion would ruin the game.
Who said concussions are the only issue? There is mounting evidence that repeated, sub-concussion impacts are not a good thing. Until we know better, what is wrong with taking a conservative approach with the youngers? As I have said, I would have implemented this differently, but at least they are trying.
what is wrong with taking a conservative approach with the youngers?
With the implementation of these rules I'm seeing WAY more high kicks than last year and that combined with referees who refuse to call blatant fouls is going to cause way more injuries.
Are you saying that there are actual Kicking Fouls occurring (due to "WAY more high kicks") but no calls? Contact from player's boot to opponent's head? Or you are saying that you think there is Dangerous Play occurring but the referees don't agree? Not all "High Kicks" are Dangerous Play. (Most aren't.) BTW, I'm not seeing this (players attempting to kick the ball above the waist) as much as I'd expected in the club games I watch or the AYSO games I referee.
Or are you talking about completely different "blatant fouls" that referees "refuse to call"?
Concussions are not the only issue. Repeated, sub-concussive blows may also be damaging, especially to young developing brains.After I posted I thought that might not read quite right. I believe I'm seeing more high kicks that I would call dangerous as most are happening within the attacking third. Is there a mechanism being used to track statistics on concussion and other injuries before and after these rule changes?
Our referee this week for an SCDSL game was enforcing offsides from the half-line. When the parents questioned it, another referee who had just finished his game was on the sideline. He said that the referees had been informed about two weeks into the season to start enforcing offsides at the half-line, not the build-out line, to limit confusion. Can anyone confirm?
Is the Coast League using the build out line and no heading rule for 06's and up? If not will these new rules apply in State Cup and doesn't this place CSL teams at a disadvantage if they have not been accustomed to playing under these requirements.
Everyone knows the heading rule changed due to a lawsuit? What is interesting is this quote "According to the original filing in the case, nearly 50,000 high school soccer players sustained concussions in 2010 — more players than in baseball, basketball, softball and wrestling combined." Since the change didn't affect High School Soccer, how did the changes address this issue?
Since I have a 2005 kid that plays club and AYSO, I've noticed a couple things. AYSO went with the rules this year, so no heading. Club still allowing heading. I've noticed a few more high kicks in AYSO compared to club as the girls haven't come up with an alternative way of playing the ball.
The rules impact all 2006s/11Us, and since AYSO U12s include 2006s it impacts their U12s. U12 Extra plays with headers, but U11 Extra does not (no headers).AYSO went with the rules this year, so no heading. Club still allowing heading.
That's not what I've seen. Are you watching bronze, flight 3 games?From what I have seen, SCDSL teams are playing with the restriction line. CSL teams don't seem to have changed anything. The smart folks at USSF have a theory that this will finally help teach the American men's team how to build out of the back. (Really, though, the folks at USSF are trying to blame youth soccer coaches for USSF's own inability to field quality teams.) From what I have seen, young keepers don't have the strength to throw a ball more than 5 or 10 yards, so the defending team has no incentive to protect the midfield. They all crowd the restriction line and as soon as the ball leaves the keepers hand the swarm is on. Most goals are scored off the "build out." The team with the most effective swarmers scores the most goals.
That's not what I've seen. Are you watching bronze, flight 3 games?