Ryan Mason: Heading may not exist in 15 years

[JustJack]

Inevitable I think and the game will be better for it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55433140

We must move on.

 

[thefranchise]

He's right, sports must evolve to reduce the risk to its participants.

The FAW have already acted to remove and reduce heading the ball for juniors.

 

[Jinxy]

Yes, inevitable and the game will survive, and possibly improve in some ways. It's surprising though that they haven't introduced some form of high tech scrum cap, maybe in the interim. They must have considered it.

 

[J_B]

If it happens it will be interesting to see what role if any, tall players have in the future. The likes of Crouch, Carroll, Moore and tall centre halves may need to try basketball. Most of the all time great footballers have been quite short as it happens.

 

[Porthcawlswan]

Be interesting to see what effect it would have on corners. Perhaps played along the ground

 

[thefranchise]

Yes, inevitable and the game will survive, and possibly improve in some ways. It's surprising though that they haven't introduced some form of high tech scrum cap, maybe in the interim. They must have considered it.

Helmets won't make a difference. It's the impact of the brain on the skull caused by external impact.

 

[Cardiffjack]

What a load of crap. Why don’t people wrap themselves in cotton wool and never leave their beds again. That way no one will get hurt.

 

[JustJack]

What a load of crap. Why don’t people wrap themselves in cotton wool and never leave their beds again. That way no one will get hurt.

And right on cue here is a perfect example of the sad effects of repeated head trauma.

 

[PatchesOHoulihan]

Was one of my strengths when I played and enjoyed the physicality of competing for balls in the air

Game would probably evolve for the better without it albeit more limited and all teams would have to play the same

 

[Jinxy]

Yes, inevitable and the game will survive, and possibly improve in some ways. It's surprising though that they haven't introduced some form of high tech scrum cap, maybe in the interim. They must have considered it.

Helmets won't make a difference. It's the impact of the brain on the skull caused by external impact.

I find that hard to believe tbh. That's like saying motorcycle helmets are pointless, shirley.

 

[thefranchise]

Helmets won't make a difference. It's the impact of the brain on the skull caused by external impact.

I find that hard to believe tbh. That's like saying motorcycle helmets are pointless, shirley.

That's a single impact, which is life saving. A person in an accident will still experience a concussion.

The NFL was sued and settled out of court, they wear helmets and protective equipement.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/aug/29/nfl-concussions-lawsuit-explained

We are talking about smaller impacts which build up over time.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/another-cte-diagnosis-soccer-adds-growing-concern-181530448.html

 

[Jinxy]

I find that hard to believe tbh. That's like saying motorcycle helmets are pointless, shirley.

That's a single impact, which is life saving. A person in an accident will still experience a concussion.

The NFL was sued and settled out of court, they wear helmets and protective equipement.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/aug/29/nfl-concussions-lawsuit-explained

We are talking about smaller impacts which build up over time.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/another-cte-diagnosis-soccer-adds-growing-concern-181530448.html

Very interesting - thanks for that. I imagine that helmets, or some form of cushioned protection, are bound to make a positive impact (please pardon the pun), but over the span of a career, not to a safe or "acceptable" level. The footballing governing bodies must be feeling very nervous - if (when?) they take steps, whether reducing, protecting or completely banning heading, it would be a recognition that heading potentially causes injuries. Then, cue law suits which could financially cripple them.

 

[thefranchise]

That's a single impact, which is life saving. A person in an accident will still experience a concussion.

The NFL was sued and settled out of court, they wear helmets and protective equipement.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/aug/29/nfl-concussions-lawsuit-explained

We are talking about smaller impacts which build up over time.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/another-cte-diagnosis-soccer-adds-growing-concern-181530448.html

Very interesting - thanks for that. I imagine that helmets, or some form of cushioned protection, are bound to make a positive impact (please pardon the pun), but over the span of a career, not to a safe or "acceptable" level. The footballing governing bodies must be feeling very nervous - if (when?) they take steps, whether reducing, protecting or completely banning heading, it would be a recognition that heading potentially causes injuries. Then, cue law suits which could financially cripple them.

Football governing bodies are looking at the research extensively. The FAW have pretty much removed heading the ball for everyone under 12 and seriously limited it in 14s-16s.

Part of the NFL's problem was they ignored the science. They knew of the issue and did nothing.

 

[CygnusX1]

I guess they’d have to make it an offence to head the ball.

So you’d have free kicks for handball and headball. Would you get sent off for deliberately heading the ball off the line?

 

[PatchesOHoulihan]

At least Pulis, allardyce and warnock are near retirement age