Is it HEADING out of the game?

With new rules banning children from heading the ball during training, is this going to trigger the end of heading in the game? Or is that already happening?

The statistics suggests this is already happening. With a consistent decline in the percentage of headed goals scored, which now is just over 1 out of 10 goals scored in the Premier League. Whereas ten years ago this was almost at 2 out of 10 goals scored in the Premier League. This decline is yet to be impacted by the ban of heading in children's football, so why is this declining?

For me there are two reasons for this continued decline. Firstly, there is the distinct change in the style of play in the Premier League. Long gone are the days of route one football, where teams aim to get the ball near the goal as quick as possibly. Whereas todays Premier League consists of playing out from the back, keeping hold of the possession, and for the most part keeping the ball on the ground. Therefore, simply, there are fewer opportunities to head the ball. In addition to this the numbers of crosses per game have significantly decreased, from nearly 50 per game 10 years ago to approximately 35 per game. So there is no wonder the percentage of headed goals continues to decrease.

Secondly, there is the type of players being produced in the team's academies. You don't see the Matt Rhead type players (Lincoln fans will know who), the big 6ft 5in units. They are all quick, mobile and technical players today. But what does this mean in terms of heading? The teams are less inclined to play long balls for them to win, as they simply won't win their fair share.

Will there be a game without heading? No, I certainly can't envisage it, but I can't see this decline slowing down in the near future. Especially since the rules changes in children's football, as a result of research conducted by the University of Glasgow, which found that footballers are 3 and a half times more likely to die from a brain disease. We will have to wait and see whether or not this will impact on the top level in the Premier League. Let us know what you think; should heading be banned from the game completely?