To implement the policy of "grassroots cultivation and expanding the football population," Sports Administration (SA) Ministry of Education, has actively promoted football among students, aiming to encourage children to develop the habit of regular exercise through football. However, as children and adolescents are still in the process of physical and mental development, there is growing attention on how to balance healthy growth and avoid injury when they play in football. In response, the SA and the Taiwan Institute of Sports Science (TISS) have specially formulated the "Heading Guidelines for Children and Adolescents in Football", aiming to reduce the risks associated with football for children and adolescents.
Football is one of the most popular sports globally, and the guidance on header techniques in grassroots football training has become a key issue. Especially in youth training and competition, whether or not heading should be included is a topic of wide concern. Countries like Scotland, England, the United States, New Zealand, and Japan have introduced sports guidelines on header practice for children and adolescents, with some countries even restricting or banning headers in practice and matches, aiming to reduce the risk of head injuries in young players.
To fully understand the impact of football training on the physical development of children and adolescents from various professional perspectives, the SA and the TISS invited experts and scholars from the fields of sports medicine, pediatric neurology, sports science, football coaching at various education levels, and the Chinese Taipei Football Association to hold a seminar on the “Sports Guidance for Children and Adolescents Establishment Plan-Guidelines for Heading Practice”. The seminar discussed the "Heading Guidelines for Children and Adolescents in Football".
At the seminar, Dr. Lin Chien-Chih from the Taiwan Child Neurology Society stated, "From a pediatric neurology perspective, the brain reaches about 95% of an adult's brain cell count by the age of 11. If brain injury occurs during this developmental phase, it can impact future cognitive function". Dr. Cheng Wei-Ren from the Department of Rehabilitation emphasized, "Adolescents are in a transitional stage between childhood and adulthood, with the brain continuing to mature after the age of 12. Therefore, protective measures must be implemented before the brain is fully developed".
The SA stated that, to prevent and avoid physical injuries caused by heading practice for children and adolescents, beneficial strategies should include teaching proper techniques and developing appropriate competition guidelines. Therefore, the draft "Heading Guidelines for Children and Adolescents in Football" suggest that children under the age of 6 should not practice headers; for children aged 9 to 12 who need header practice, it is recommended to use balloons or foam balls, while gradually strengthening core stability and neck strength; for children aged 12 to 15, using a size 4 ball or a size 5 ball with the lowest air pressure is recommended, with the practice load being evaluated and recorded, and players' physical condition regularly monitored.
Football is one of the most suitable for developing coordination and balance in children and adolescents, enhancing physical fitness, skills, resilience, teamwork, and cognitive abilities. In recent years, grassroots football participation has grown rapidly. To ensure the safety of children and adolescents in football, as well as protect their physical health and overall development, the SA and the TISS hope that the "Heading Guidelines for Children and Adolescents in Football," along with comprehensive graded competition regulations, will reduce the potential risks of heading, ensuring the safety and healthy growth of young players.
