Help!
My son was born in December of 2005 so he has to play u12 this year. He won't be 11 until December. Can he play in games and not head the ball? Can he play in games and head the ball? I need clarification and am quite frustrated. Below I pasted the wording. I'm reading it as he can play but shouldn't head the ball but that referees aren't going to be checking the u12 kids to see who is 10 and who is 11 and will treat the whole game as if it is a u12-heading allowed match.
"The Federation is recommending, and US Club Soccer is requiring immediately, new rules as it relates to heading, as follows:
Players in U-11 programs and younger shall not engage in heading, either in practices or in games.
Limited heading in practice for players in U-12 and U-13 programs. More specifically, these players shall be limited to a maximum of 30 minutes of heading training per week, with no more than 15-20 headers per player, per week.
Clubs should be aware of circumstances in which individual consideration is needed. For example:
A 10 year old playing at U-12 or older should not head the ball at all.
An 11 or 12 year old playing at U-14 or older should abide by the heading restrictions in practice.
Referees should enforce these restrictions by age group according to the specified rules. Referees will not be assessing the age of individual players on the field; they will enforce the rules for the age group."
My son was born in December of 2005 so he has to play u12 this year. He won't be 11 until December. Can he play in games and not head the ball? Can he play in games and head the ball? I need clarification and am quite frustrated. Below I pasted the wording. I'm reading it as he can play but shouldn't head the ball but that referees aren't going to be checking the u12 kids to see who is 10 and who is 11 and will treat the whole game as if it is a u12-heading allowed match.
"The Federation is recommending, and US Club Soccer is requiring immediately, new rules as it relates to heading, as follows:
Players in U-11 programs and younger shall not engage in heading, either in practices or in games.
Limited heading in practice for players in U-12 and U-13 programs. More specifically, these players shall be limited to a maximum of 30 minutes of heading training per week, with no more than 15-20 headers per player, per week.
Clubs should be aware of circumstances in which individual consideration is needed. For example:
A 10 year old playing at U-12 or older should not head the ball at all.
An 11 or 12 year old playing at U-14 or older should abide by the heading restrictions in practice.
Referees should enforce these restrictions by age group according to the specified rules. Referees will not be assessing the age of individual players on the field; they will enforce the rules for the age group."
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