Heading Policy
NSC and Roots Soccer League follow the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association's guidelines for Heading - https://usys-assets.ae-admin.com/assets/968/3/Heading.pdf
HEADING
For all Mass Youth Soccer and all Member Organizations the following will be adhered to
Heading Not Permissible
Mass Youth Soccer and all Member Organizations are to inform all coaches to teach and emphasize the importance of proper techniques for heading the ball.
Heading Infraction
For those players designated as not being permitted to head a ball in games as identified in the above section
Heading Not Permissible the following modified law 12 will apply.
HEADING
For all Mass Youth Soccer and all Member Organizations the following will be adhered to
Heading Not Permissible
- a) Players by Age (1) All players age 10 years old and younger, regardless of what age group program they are playing in, shall not engage in heading either in practice or in games.
- b) Programs by Age Group
- (1) All players in single year age groups of U11 programs and younger shall not engage in heading either in practice or in games.
- (2) All players in dual year age groups which incorporate a U11 program (e.g. U11/12) shall not engage in heading in games. Training is permissible for player age 11 and 12 per limitations noted below.
- a) Players by Age
- (1) For all players between the ages of 11 and 13, heading training will be limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per week with no more that 15‐20 headers per player, per week. No limit of heading in games.
Mass Youth Soccer and all Member Organizations are to inform all coaches to teach and emphasize the importance of proper techniques for heading the ball.
Heading Infraction
For those players designated as not being permitted to head a ball in games as identified in the above section
Heading Not Permissible the following modified law 12 will apply.
- An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the referee:
- Deliberately heads or attempts to head the ball.
- Deliberately heads or attempts to head the ball.
- If, in the opinion of the referee, a deliberate header or attempt to head occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick will be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. If, in the opinion of the referee, a player does not deliberately head or attempt to head the ball, then play should continue.
