These new rules come into effect from 1st July 2024
The FA has introduced a new rule to phase out deliberate heading in matches in all affiliated grassroots youth football between U7-U11 level over the next three seasons.
This includes all leagues, clubs and any affiliated school football matches.
Starting with U7-U9 level from the 2024-25 season
Then increasing to include U10 level from 2025-26
And U11 level from 2026-27
KEY RULE CHANGES
As a result, from the start of the 2024-25 season for U7-U9 teams, The FA will be rolling out the following:
Deliberate Header Restart:
• Deliberately heading the ball is an offence punishable by an indirect free kick.
• The indirect free kick is taken at the point where the ball was deliberately headed, except:
– Where a player deliberately heads the ball within their own penalty area, the referee will stop the game and restart with an indirect free kick to the opposition from the nearest sideline of the penalty area where the offence took place.
Touchline Restart:
• When the whole of the ball passes over the whole of the touchline, on the ground or in the air, instead of a throw-in, a pass-in/dribble-in is awarded.
• The kicker that takes the pass-in/dribble-in may touch the ball again before it is touched by another player.
• At the moment of delivering the ball:
- The ball must be stationary on the touchline at the point where it left the pitch; only the kicker may be off the pitch.
- All opponents must stand at least five yards from the point on the touchline where the pass-in or /dribble-in is to be taken from
• A goal cannot be scored directly from a pass-in
• The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves
Sanctions in the event of a deliberate header in a match:
• From the start of the 2024-25 season, there will be no disciplinary sanctions applied for a deliberate header in a match, unless the action is considered a persistent deliberate offence, which could then result in a caution.
WORKING WITH THE GRASSROOTS GAME TO HELP IMPLEMENT THE NEW RULE
In conjunction with this announcement, the FA will be providing the relevant guidance and will work closely with County FA’s, leagues, clubs, coaches, referees and schools across the country over the coming weeks to ensure that they have the support they need to successfully implement the new rule from the start of next season.
Coaches Resources:
To support coaches with what to do when kids can/can’t head the ball during matches, please find some useful resources below:
· How to coach your players when heading is allowed | England Football Learning
· How to coach your players when heading isn’t allowed | England Football Learning
· Video – The Law Change Explained – https://www.youtube.com/watch?ems_dl=799214872_xPPXkYe2lp_459290_4970031_1_2000001&v=zoBwWcntmmU&feature=youtu.be.
· Video – Pass/Dribble In Demonstration – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP_DzpoMSXg.
Updated Mini Soccer Handbook:
This new handbook includes the laws of the game for mini-soccer and the new changes for heading:
