US Club Soccer is clarifying the following implementation guidelines for U.S. Soccer’s Recognize to Recover Player Safety Campaign, specifically as it relates to concussion initiatives and heading for youth players:

• 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.

• Leagues and organizations are free to set their own standards, as long as the minimum requirements outlined above are met.

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