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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Dear Coaches, Parents and Friends:
When you head out to the facility this year, you will be entering a
SPORTSMANSHIP ZONE for youth sports. A SPORTSMANSHIP ZONE is
designed or set apart for your child athlete. The purpose of a SPORTSMANSHIP ZONE is to create a stress-free, instructional, non-competitive or less competitive sports environment (where every child can feel safe, accepted and loved. A place where every child can learn new things WITHOUT FEAR). We need your help to create an atmosphere that is positive, fun supportive, teaches, and encourages sportsmanship for all players. Please join and become a Sportsmanship Zone Spectator by following the Sportsmanship Pledge:

1. I will support and encourage my game officials. Most of them are
young and impressionable just like my player.
2. I will allow my coach to coach my child by providing
encouragement and reinforcement. I will leave team instruction
and directions to my child’s coach.
3. I will help encourage my player to keep the Sportsmanship Zone
clean by picking up and throwing away litter.
4. I will support Sportsmanship Zones as drug, tobacco, and alcohol
free zones.
5. I will communicate with site supervisors or league directors if I
have questions or concerns.
6. I will positively support my player. I will display good
sportsmanship.
7. I will hug, hi-five and celebrate my child for who they are.
8. I will laugh, smile and have fun. I will cheer using positive
reinforcement for everyone.
9. I will be involved in my child’s youth sport experience.
10. I will remember that these are just kids, and it’s only a game.

The outcome of the “child” is more important than the outcome of the game.