New National Soccer Rules – Heading Policy
 North Carolina Youth Soccer Policy on Heading

11U and younger  
No heading. Games and/or practice

12U & 13U 
30 minutes per week w/ no more than 15-20 headers per player, per week
12U No heading in matches
13U No restrictions on heading in matches.

The Referee Association has been informed of the policy and they have received their instruction on how to address heading in matches.

“If a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred.”

In matches for 13U and older, the roster/team could include 12U and younger players. A 12U player on the 13U roster/team, may head the ball. For the player 11U or younger playing on a 13U team or older, if heading occurs by a player 11U and younger, the referee will not stop play and issue an indirect free kick. It would be very difficult for a referee to be able during the run of play to determine if a player that heads the ball is 11U or younger or 12U and older. As stated by the Federation, it will be the coach and parent’s responsibility to “police” a child 11U and younger on heading in a 13U and older match.

This policy will be effective beginning with the fall 2016/17 season starting September 1, 2017

At Carolina Rapids, the safety of our players is the most important aspect of our club, and we already strongly believe in age appropriate training techniques as well as game format and structure to support the proper development of our players.  As it relates to concussions and heading training, here are some measures already in place at the Carolina Rapids: 

• Free Baseline Concussion Testing with our partners Novant 
•  Heading is not part of the curriculum for U5, U6, U7, U8, U9 and U10 age groups.  The Girls Youth Academy utilizes foam balls 1 or 2 times a year, but does not teach heading with soccer balls for an entire training session
•  The use of the “new ball” technique in the U5, U6 and U7 age group helps to reduce further the chances of any heading or aerial collisions in those age groups. 
•  U8, U9 and U10 are all taught to utilize the throw in as an attempt to maintain possession and not a 50/50 aerial challenge
•  U9 and U10 – the Goalkeeper cannot punt the ball.  Instead the ball must be played on the ground, which reduces the number of aerial challenges
•  The Rapids playing style is for the ball to be on the ground, and we try to play through the lines, which should limit the number of aerial challenges
•  U11 and up players at the club have a balanced curriculum that evenly spreads all learning topics throughout the year and career.  Heading is given the age appropriate focus it is needed throughout our age groups.  When teaching the topic we limit the repetitions for the players, foam balls, 5-10 yard underhanded throws etc when focusing on it within a training session
•  We introduced futsal into our curriculum two years ago to further develop our playing style that ultimately limits aerial challenges.  A futsal ball is much heavier than a regular soccer ball which prevents the ball from leaving the surface of the court
•  Our competitive coaching staff is all certified in CPR and First Aid through our partners, Novant Health, including education regarding identification of concussion symptoms
•  Our extensive coaching education within the Adidas Rapids Alliance and Novant Health sees our staff constantly updated in the sports science world

Heading is a technique within the game of soccer and it has a fundamental role within the game.  The proper technique of heading is introduced to players at an appropriate age.  We also recognize and monitor the volume and frequency within a training session and season. We will continue to monitor and follow developments in guidance received from Novant Health, the Adidas Rapids Alliance and US Soccer to update our approach in this area.   We hope this provides information on any question you may have. 

Our values

CHARACTER, COMMITMENT, COMMUNITY, COMPETITION, COMMUNICATION