No Aussie heading ban for under-10s: FFA

Australia will not follow US Soccer in banning children younger than 11 from heading footballs, after concussion concerns led to lawsuits in America.

Football Federation Australia says it is keeping a close eye on research into concussions induced by heading balls, but will not enforce any ban.

Young players and their parents filed a lawsuit in August 2014 accusing governing bodies such as US Soccer, FIFA and the California Youth Soccer Association of negligence in failing to protect young players.

In resolving the lawsuit, US Soccer and the plaintiffs agreed to amendments banning heading under the age of 11.

US Soccer on Wednesday also announced its intention to make "modifications to substitution rules in relation to concussions" that would include "requirements for players that are part of US Soccer's youth national teams and the development academy".

At age 12 and under, heading rarely features in Australian elite training under FFA's skill acquisition program, which focuses on technical skills and small-sided games.

"Most, if not all, training and games for players under the age of 12 comprise small-sided games, which are four players on each side on a restricted pitch with small goals," an FFA spokesperson said.

"The nature of these games means barely any heading takes place. Most players lack the power to play aerial balls and the emphasis is on keeping the ball on the ground and maximising technical skills."

The governing body in Australia does not believe there is a need to ban the practice.

A recent study by scientists in Denver had looked at concussions in US high school soccer between 2005 and 2014.

The study reported that while rules outlawing heading would likely reduce the number of concussions, the main causes of head injuries involved athlete-to-athlete contact.