THE Scottish FA has announced new heading guidelines in the adult game - banning repeated heading on the day before and the day after matches.

A new study - carried out by the Hampden Sports Clinic and the Scottish FA - analysed data from men and women's matches to support the fresh recommendations.

It's stated that training exercises which could involve repeated heading of the ball should be limited to once session per week.

Similar activities should not take place one day either side of a matchday and clubs should "plan and monitor" heading activity to reduce the "overall heading burden".

The new guidelines follow consultation with "key groups" with 50 professional clubs across both the men's and women's games, PFA Scotland and the Coaches and Managers' Association involved in the research.

The Scottish FA also surveyed SPFL and SWPL clubs on heading pratices in professional football with a follow-up survey showing 70 percent backing for heading guidelines to be introduced.

Another subsequent survey carried out alongside PFA Scotland found a 64 percent majority of players believed heading should be limited in training.

New SFA guidelines on heading

  • Training exercises which could involve repeated heading should be carried out no more than once a week.
  • Training exercises which could involve repeated heading should not take place on MD-1 or MD+1; this includes activities such as crossing and finishing and set piece practice.  
  • Clubs should plan and monitor heading activity in training to reduce the overall heading burden.

The guidelines come after a Glasgow University study found that former footballers were three-and-a-half times more likely to die from brain disease.

Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell cited the study as a "catalyst for a radical rethink of football guidance" and suggested the new rules could help shape guidelines around the world.

Maxwell said: “The historic University of Glasgow study (FIELD), which found an increased risk of neurodegenerative disease in retired professional footballers, compared to a matched population control group, has been a catalyst for a radical rethink of football guidance, starting in the youth game with the introduction of the heading guidelines for children between 6-17 in 2020.

“The Scottish FA said at the time that this research should shape the thinking in the adult game not just domestically but across the world. I am grateful to everyone in the professional game – clubs, coaches and managers, and players – for contributing to the latest research which has culminated in these new guidelines.

“It is our intention that these guidelines will be embraced and implemented with immediate effect. The publishing of today’s guidelines represents our ongoing commitment to player welfare.”   

Dr John MacLean, Scottish FA Chief Medical Consultant, added: “It is important to reiterate that while the FIELD study was not designed to identify the causes of this increased risk, both head injury and heading have been suggested as possible contributing factors to neurodegenerative disease.

“While the research continues to develop, what we already know about heading and its effects on the brain suggests that there is measurable memory impairment lasting 24-48 hours following a series of headers, and that brain related proteins can be detected in blood samples for a short time after heading. Brain scan changes have also been reported in footballers that may be linked to heading. Therefore, the goal is to reduce any potential cumulative effect of heading by reducing the overall exposure to heading in training.

“Scotland was the first country in the world to have a single set of Concussion Guidelines for all sports and the ‘If In Doubt, Sit Them Out’ campaign is now widely recognised and implemented across all sports.

“The National Sports First Aid course aims to provide coaches and parents with the knowledge to recognise and remove players who have sustained a possible concussion, with the advanced Sport Promote course educating doctors and physiotherapists in the professional game.  Concussion recognition and management is also an integral part of the Scottish FA Coach Education programme.”

And Scottish FA chief football officer Andy Gould commented: “There already exists a lot of data around in-match heading but this latest research has been invaluable in understanding the extent of heading load within the training environment.

“I am grateful to the clubs, managers and players for providing us with the information and perspectives required to facilitate an informed and data-driven discussion which has culminated in the publication of guidelines designed to protect the safety and wellbeing of our players.”

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