Below I list 5 reasons head injuries occur among girl soccer players. Many of you already know girls soccer [ages 13-17] are some of the highest in sports-related head trauma. Some doctors say the main thing we need to do is not let them head the ball or even play soccer till they are 14 yrs old, which I disagree with. I’m not saying I know more than a doctor, I’m just saying why would you not let them head until the age that the get the injuries? Kids need to learn the right ways to head before they are allowed to do them in games. We need to teach & prepare them better & more often, play less games & educate coaches to not teach reckless play.
“Together we need to help protect players from concussions… Education and proper training is the key.”
5 reasons head injuries occur more among girl soccer players
Here are 5 reasons head injuries occur among girl soccer players:
- Players are not taught the right way at a younger age, even top players [e.g., ECNL] at age 13+ don’t know how to do this
- Players need more fundamentals.. Practicing headers will help keep their head and neck stronger and the small range reps teach them all the correct ways. There are many ways to head the ball and most kids only know one.
- Reckless clumsy challenges & coaches teaching players to be too aggressive playing the player instead of the ball. So elbows, head to head, falling on ground wrong, getting kicked in the head & also heading the ball wrong.
- Girls can kick the ball harder compared to when they are U7-12, therefore players [for girls, mainly center mids] are taking on goal kick challenges or punts from 30-50 yards week after week
- Too many games, not enough training
Players who play down the middle of the field (center mids & center backs) take on the most headers/challenges.
Should they be forced to use the “Head Gear”?
No, Head Gear doesn’t necessarily fix the problem because many players think it will protect them no matter what.
Therefore, they don’t attack the ball, but rather they let it hit them – which is wrong.
20 tips on heading the soccer ball
How to fix the problem
If it were my daughter, I would get her private training to teach her the correct ways & how to protect herself… Or watch the video above, get a volleyball or light soccer ball and practice at home with her.
Also LESS GAMES!
High school soccer in addition with select/club soccer is a lot of game.
Kids already play too many games (80-100 games per year) which even the U.S. Youth National Coaching staff say is too many games.
Adolescents need more training, not games.
Not only will the players gain more skills while training, but get less head & knee injuries will occur.
Part of the head to use
Where you head depends on the situation…
Sometimes you have to jump, other times you might have to duck down.
Redirecting usually requires more skill.
Depending on if you want the ball to go high or low you’ll either use the top or middle of the forehead. Most of the time it’s the top – right where the hair starts to grow.
If it hits the middle of the forehead cool, but if you use that spot on purpose there’s a chance you get hit in the nose.
Watch this video to learn more.
Learn by watching soccer on TV
One of the best teaching tools is simply watching pro soccer on TV…
Kids who watch professional games give themselves a huge advantage in regards to learning the game.
As you watch, notice when players don’t go up for a challenge in the air… It actually happens a lot – especially in the midfield.
Be aware of your surroundings… You’ll see when an opponent is about to go up for a header and if they have the advantage maybe let them win it – BUT try to get the 2nd ball. In other words… After they head the ball see if you can get to where it’s going first.
Use your hands and arms to separate yourself from the defender as you go for the header. Using your body/arms will protect you and if it’s done the right way, it’s not a foul.
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