Como bans heading for U10 players in youth academy reform driven by Varane

Published Jul 25, 10:29 AM UTC

Italian Serie A club Como, driven by board member and former World Cup winner Raphael Varane, has announced a landmark reform of its youth academy heading policy. The new rules, effective immediately, completely ban heading for U10 players in both training and matches, with throw-ins and corner kicks taken on the ground. For U11 players, heading is generally banned but may be introduced at season's end using lightweight rubber balls. U12 players can practice heading once per month with a maximum of 5 headers using lightweight balls, while U13 players are limited to once per week with 5 headers per session, but heading remains banned in matches. The club aims to protect developing brains, reduce avoidable head impacts, and prioritize ball control, game observation, and decision-making skills. Como's development director Ossian Roberts defended the philosophy, and the club will distribute questionnaires to parents and provide coach guidance to evaluate the plan's implementation.