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On the back of recent publicity regarding

Brain injury's caused by professional footballers repeatedly heading a football.

Firstly anyone my generation can remember the punishment heading a wet leather football was and the pros of the day didn't shy away from it, then we have Geoff Hurst divulging how training sessions could and often included 30-45 minutes heading practice following a number of high profile cases of dementia amongst former players, potentially caused by the aforementioned practice.

Initially I and I suspect many others thought todays players are not at the same risk due to the lighter modern ball although I'd like to see more research into that.

Maybe we could introduce Peter Checz style headguards to be compulsory during practice if not actual games although some players would need to reconsider their hairstyles if they did this Hamza Chowdry I'm thinking of you here.

Anyone any thoughts?

posted on 24/11/20

I think it's something that needs to be researched further because we are talking about 2 different era's of football and 2 different styles of ball. I don't know how they have changed it, but I can imagine balls these days have a more lighter feeling in them in comparison to the bowling balls used pre and post-war and then even the balls that were used in the 70's and 80's.

As TOOR has mentioned above, the severity of tackles are much different these days as well.

posted on 24/11/20

I think it’s fairly relevant these days too. Thiago Silva says he’s been suffering from terrible’ headaches since joining Chelsea.

posted on 24/11/20

comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 33 minutes ago
Has it actually been confirmed the issues occur due to heading the ball and not, for example, clashing heads?
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Its my understanding from the reports I've seen and read that the cause of several former players dementia has been attributed to repeatedly heading the old heavy balls

posted on 24/11/20

comment by morespurs (U15748)
posted 55 minutes ago
high profile cases of dementia amongst former players
==================

looking forward to that!
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Not heard of it, played a lot of football have you morespurs?

posted on 24/11/20

comment by a foxes voice (U1133)
posted 25 minutes ago
comment by morespurs (U15748)
posted 55 minutes ago
high profile cases of dementia amongst former players
==================

looking forward to that!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not heard of it, played a lot of football have you morespurs?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, I can't tell what this post is supposed to mean, whether it's sarcastic or not.

posted on 24/11/20

comment by a foxes voice (U1133)
posted 1 hour, 30 minutes ago
comment by morespurs (U15748)
posted 55 minutes ago
high profile cases of dementia amongst former players
==================

looking forward to that!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not heard of it, played a lot of football have you morespurs?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, if it's true I am going to feel like a mug. I used really spring high and hit with my head very hard, and also receive high balls with my head!

ffs, seriously worrying me!

posted on 24/11/20

But if the problem is caused mainly by the constant, repeated action of heading rather than the weight of the ball itself then football has a massive problem.

————————

Unfortunately I think there is evidence coming to light that the repetitive nature of it could be the cause. In which case I agree with Dunge, it’s a very difficult one to manage.

Do you fundamentally change the game, or accept, like boxing that it’s an occupational hazard that you accept?!

Neither feel like a satisfactory answer really, which is why, to Dunges point, I think most are hoping that the modern footballs have fixed this and looking for evidence to the contrary.

posted on 24/11/20

I was involved with under age football for many
Year in the Republic of Ireland,
Our village club had. 260 kids under 11yrs including including the academy and 180 kids 11/16yrs

I was a certified coach having taken the course with the
FAI,
introduction, basics 1&2 coaching & goal keeper7 a side, 9 a side, 11 aside pt 1&2
and 2 yrs doing youth badges
Before I moved home I was looking art getting my uafa B badge (and finding £4k)

I was assistant under age secretary for 2 yrs and secretary for about the same,,

I'm home 8 yrs?
So 12/14 years ago the FAI banned heading
In junior teams in training,,
To practise the only way allowed was for the child
To throw the ball up into the air them self's,
Not even underarm from another child was allowed,
I guessing it's sill the same.

posted on 25/11/20

Would people in today’s game give up heading and the risk of dementia later in life if the game suddenly loses its appeal and the millions of pounds of income disappears with it?

posted on 25/11/20

I'd be surprised if the modern lighter balls caused as many problems,,
But ld like to see figures for the lower leagues,
But definitely reduce it in training
And ban it for under 12s
Except the throw to self and limit it once a month or 5 throws,

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