Easy 10
Brain dead MUG SHEEP
A bit in the news today about the FA banning kids from 11 and under from heading the football, which given the long-term effects it had on the likes of Jeff Astle, who suffered dementia and died from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, seems a sensible move. The coroner ruled his death was caused by repeated heading of footballs, although I take the point that footballs in Astle's era were a lot different to the current ones.
In a debate about what more could be done though, I heard a suggestion over the weekend about banning headers from goal kicks (be it a drop-kick or set piece), as these would usually be the "heaviest" with most impact. Clearly this would fundamentally alter the way the game is played - presumably anyone heading the ball from a GK would concede a free kick to the opposition. I would never support eradicating headers from the game entirely, as its obviously an important part of the game. But I don't think we'd be losing much by banning heading from goal kicks - players would just have to adapt and learn to control it differently when thy challenge for it.
Thoughts ?
In a debate about what more could be done though, I heard a suggestion over the weekend about banning headers from goal kicks (be it a drop-kick or set piece), as these would usually be the "heaviest" with most impact. Clearly this would fundamentally alter the way the game is played - presumably anyone heading the ball from a GK would concede a free kick to the opposition. I would never support eradicating headers from the game entirely, as its obviously an important part of the game. But I don't think we'd be losing much by banning heading from goal kicks - players would just have to adapt and learn to control it differently when thy challenge for it.
Thoughts ?
