Como‘s turning point to reduce headers in youth training sessions: the club today confirms a new path for the entire Academy on header management, designed to reduce avoidable head impacts, protect player well-being, and promote more effective technical development in the long term. The new guidelines stipulate that for Under 10s, headers are not allowed in either training or matches. For Under 11s, heading remains prohibited as a general rule, with a possible introduction only in the final part of the season and through the use of a lightweight ball. For Under 12s, the technique can be trained once a month, with a maximum of five headers per session, while for Under 13s, the limit will be one weekly session with the same maximum cap.
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«The changes – explains an official note – reflect a simple idea: first and foremost, protect young players, and then teach heading in a controlled manner when they are ready. In the younger age groups, the focus will be more on ball contact, decision-making ability, effective play, and a clear path that builds confidence and technique step by step».
«This approach – Como specifies – follows the latest guidelines for youth football, designed to reduce unnecessary exposure to headers in younger categories, gradually introducing this technique as players advance in their growth path».
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Throughout the Academy, Como will also continue to carefully manage exposure to headers near matches, asking coaches to avoid unnecessary heading drills in the period immediately before and after games.
Raphaël Varane, member of the Board of Education of Como 1907, stated: <I have spoken several times about the need to take head impacts in football seriously and the absolute importance of protecting our children. For young players, the best approach consists of clear rules, good training, awareness, and a culture where well-being and safety come first. This path reduces unnecessary contact at younger ages, when the brain is still developing, and then teaches the heading technique correctly, step by step, with the right control».
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