Ryan Mason: Heading in football might not exist in 10-15 years

[mawspurs]

Heading might not exist in football in 10 to 15 years time because of the risks involved, former Tottenham and Hull midfielder Ryan Mason says.

Source: BBC

 

[tototoner]

It's tragic that a lot of footballers are now suffering early dementia but actual footballs have evolved so much that the modern ones are completely different to the heavy leather balls of the 50s, 60s and 70s

Also wasn't Mason's and Vertonghen's head injuries caused by a clash if heads, not the football.

 

[lol]

It's tragic that a lot of footballers are now suffering early dementia but actual footballs have evolved so much that the modern ones are completely different to the heavy leather balls of the 50s, 60s and 70s

Also wasn't Mason's and Vertonghen's head injuries caused by a clash if heads, not the football.

and its because there's heading that why heads clashes?

 

[tototoner]

and its because there's heading that why heads clashes?

what do you suggest ?

ban kicking the ball over shoulder height ?

 

[Trix]

Get ready for feet to the face if this happens.

 

[UbeAstard]

It's tragic that a lot of footballers are now suffering early dementia but actual footballs have evolved so much that the modern ones are completely different to the heavy leather balls of the 50s, 60s and 70s

Also wasn't Mason's and Vertonghen's head injuries caused by a clash if heads, not the football.

On top of the long term damage from heading the ball, head clashes are less likely to happen if you cant head the ball. 40 years ago when i was playing centre half or full back I sometimes had headaches for a couple of days after the match so this all rings for me.

 

[chinaman]

All players wear a soft, padded headwear.

 

[UncleBuck]

Well in the last ten to fifteen years we’ve pretty much seen tackling all but banned so it wouldn’t surprise me.

 

[Chedozie]

That might have a massive impact on the size of players in the future too as well as making the short corner a very obvious tactic.

 

[whitesocks]

I'd be in favour of the change. After all, it was just a gimmick the Scots introduced to the game.
Players like Dier should be playing rugby.

 

[taidgh]

It's tragic that a lot of footballers are now suffering early dementia but actual footballs have evolved so much that the modern ones are completely different to the heavy leather balls of the 50s, 60s and 70s

Also wasn't Mason's and Vertonghen's head injuries caused by a clash if heads, not the football.

It's a common misconception that because balls have changed, brain damage doesn't occur now. Balls are still a similar weight (though they no longer gain weight due to taking on water) and the balls are hit longer and at much higher speeds these days. Both of these factors still mean that heading the ball is a detriment to brain health. The point about head clashes has already been made.

I do think heading will leave the game, though it may not be in the next 15 years. There is just too much growing evidence that heading the ball is harmful. I think it will be banned in the youth game first and then slowly move to the adult game.

 

[theShiznit]

Already taken it out of training in under 12 football, won't be long until the age increases to say 14/15 and/or they ban it from matches for under 12's.

They will be looking to see how the game is effected by those changes but 15 years seems entirely plausible.

And pretty soon after people will be looking at old matches and think "what's he doing!" when players head the ball just as we think that when we watch old matches and the keeper picks up the ball from a back pass.

As a side, i still think you would get long balls and goal kicks but players would compete to chest the balls instead, can't see a no over head height rule.

 

[chilespurs]

Already taken it out of training in under 12 football, won't be long until the age increases to say 14/15 and/or they ban it from matches for under 12's.

They will be looking to see how the game is effected by those changes but 15 years seems entirely plausible.

And pretty soon after people will be looking at old matches and think "what's he doing!" when players head the ball just as we think that when we watch old matches and the keeper picks up the ball from a back pass.

As a side, i still think you would get long balls and goal kicks but players would compete to chest the balls instead, can't see a no over head height rule.

I used to play no over head height as a kid. No more long balls over the too. I think it's both a good ideas and inevitable in the future. As for how long in the future, it's dificult to say but if it's already in place in training for under 12, it seems logically that that could continue with that generation, so could be sooner than we think. Didn't will smith do a film about something similar?

 

[Japhet]

Would make free kicks interesting if you weren't allowed to head the ball. You'd have to get out of the way of anything close to head height or presumably commit an offence 10 yds closer to goal if the ball hit your head.

 

[rez9000]

The question that this prompts is: will there be a rule-change whereby players simply won't be allowed to head the ball, in the same way they can't handle the ball? Because that's the only way I can see it happening because I don't see a way of keeping the ball on the ground or below a certain height. Unless I'm missing something....?

 

[newbie]

It's tragic that a lot of footballers are now suffering early dementia but actual footballs have evolved so much that the modern ones are completely different to the heavy leather balls of the 50s, 60s and 70s

Also wasn't Mason's and Vertonghen's head injuries caused by a clash if heads, not the football.

But if they were not heading they would not be clashing heads in the air going for high balls

 

[sebo_sek]

This is comical. Let's make it a contact free sport. There won't be any injuries at all.

 

[Laboog]

There are risks with playing sports, players know this going into the sport. It's terrible when injuries happen but they are part of the sport. We can make rules to limit risks like taking out dangerous tackles and intent to hurt but when you start trying to take away main aspects of the game such as heading, that is going to kill the game.

Have players wear a type of helmet if necessary but taking heading out will change the game in such a drastic way.

 

[Tucker]

This is comical. Let's make it a contact free sport. There won't be any injuries at all.

Yeah what a bunch of pansies, not wanting to get dementia. They should toughen up a bit shouldn’t they. /sarcasm.

 

[sebo_sek]

Yeah what a bunch of pansies, not wanting to get dementia. They should toughen up a bit shouldn’t they. /sarcasm.

How many footballers have got dementia over the 170 years if the sport? Be serious. You're trying to kill the headache by cutting off the head. Literally.