Serie A club Como limits heading in youth academy to protect brain health

Published Jul 26, 03:49 PM UTC

Serie A club Como has introduced a new academy pathway to limit heading exposure for young players, aiming to protect brain health and improve technical development. The policy bans heading entirely for under-10s, introduces light rubber balls and monthly sessions for under-12s, and limits headers to five per session for older age groups. Former Manchester United defender Raphael Varane, now on Como's board of education, endorsed the measures, citing his own experiences with concussions and head impacts. The club's approach follows broader governance trends, including the English FA's plan to phase out heading for children under 12 by 2027. Como's head of development said the policy allows young players to focus on technical skills and learn heading safely.