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 Heading nowhere?
Topic Originator: wee eck  
Date:   Wed 28 Jan 18:12

Following the recent coroner`s verdict on the cause of death of former Leeds, Man Utd and Scotland defender Gordon McQueen, the subject of the potential danger of heading a football over a sustained period of time is back in the news. There are now serious suggestions that the inevitable conclusion of all this is that heading the ball will be banished from football at all levels.

I find it hard to imagine a game of football, played out of doors on a full pitch, where heading the ball is not allowed. What will this mean for the spectacle? Heading is a great skill and some of the most memorable goals scored have been with the head. Will this mean a reduction in the recruitment of players whose main attributes are of the aerial variety? Will the average size of a team`s players diminish with the emphasis more on quick, skilful, mobile players?

Perhaps more interesting would be the effect on tactics and style of play. The immediate threat from corners, throw-ins and free kicks would be reduced so how would coaches compensate for the lack of high balls which can eliminate a number of defenders in one play?

Any thoughts?

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 Re: Heading nowhere?
Topic Originator: parsmad68  
Date:   Wed 28 Jan 19:10

Heading the ball certainly has lowered since the days of the Girvan Lighthouse kick outs, but it is still an integral part of the game. I think also it depends on the ball you receive. I used to play full back and when keepers used to take the long kick outs, it was a dread to take the header as it came out of the sky.
Just blue sky idea, but if a keeper was to kick it out of hand or from a bye kick that the ball must bounce once before and head can touch it? I haven’t thought of the detail of the ramifications of such a call but these longs balls are not pleasant to take as a defender.
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 Re: Heading nowhere?
Topic Originator: jake89  
Date:   Wed 28 Jan 20:47

I`m clearly no expert, but surely a sport like boxing is a far greater risk? Aren`t footballs softer/lighter nowadays?
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 Re: Heading nowhere?
Topic Originator: veteraneastender  
Date:   Wed 28 Jan 20:51

If heading the ball is banned, as seems to be a suggestion, we wouldn`t have beaten Hibs in the cup - and Hearts wouldn`t have had an equaliser against Celtic on Sunday..........these are just examples.

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 Re: Heading nowhere?
Topic Originator: AdamAntsParsStripe  
Date:   Wed 28 Jan 20:54

I doubt there is evidence for this definatifly.
You can’t stop players even in the modern game from heading balls otherwise the game is f@ked.
Maybe banning it from training might help or wearing headgear but can you imagine a corner kick and nobody jumps up to clear with a header?

Zwei Pints Bier und ein Päckchen Chips bitte
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 Re: Heading nowhere?
Topic Originator: DA-go Par Adonis  
Date:   Wed 28 Jan 20:55

Quote:

jake89, Wed 28 Jan 20:47

I`m clearly no expert, but surely a sport like boxing is a far greater risk? Aren`t footballs softer/lighter nowadays?


Yes, but consequently the ball travels faster - and force is equal to mass x acceleration.

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 Re: Heading nowhere?
Topic Originator: wee eck  
Date:   Wed 28 Jan 20:56

Re vee's post at 20:51, the games would have been totally different though. I was trying to anticipate the effect on future games rather than replaying past ones.

Post Edited (Wed 28 Jan 20:58)
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