1. New Infraction: Intentionally Heading the Ball (U8/U10/U12)
AYSO Area 5C Referee Guidance
March 12, 2016

2. Background
In 2014 AYSO and other U.S. youth soccer groups were named in a class action lawsuit.
The purpose of the lawsuit was to address concerns about concussions in young players.
The lawsuit was settled in fall 2015.
As a result, AYSO has made changes to the National Rules and Regulations to limit the amount of heading allowed in games and practices.

3. New NR&R HEADING THE BALL
Consistent with the US Soccer mandates on heading the ball, heading is banned for all division players U11 (U12 and below for programs without single age divisions) and below in both practices and games.
Heading for players in U14 is limited to a maximum of thirty (30) minutes per week with no more than headers, per player. There is no restriction on heading in matches.

4. New NR&R
2. An indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team if a player age 10 or younger, deliberately touches the ball with his/her head during a game.
a. The indirect free kick is to be taken from the place where the player touched the ball with his/her head.
b. An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team inside the opposing team’s penalty area, must be taken on the penalty area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the player touched the ball with his/her head.

5. New NR&R
3. Neither cautions nor send-offs shall be issued for persistent infringement or denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity related to the heading infractions.

6. Practical Application
Deliberately heading the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with the ball with his/her head. The referee must take the following into consideration:
•     The movement of the head towards the ball (not the ball towards the head) •     The distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball)

7. Practical Application
This new rule is in effect for the Spring 2016 season in all regions of Area 5C. It applies to all U8, U10 and U12 matches between teams from the same region or teams from different regions.
In U8 matches, the restart should be a direct free kick instead of an indirect free kick, since all free kicks in U8 are direct.
In U8 matches, if a defender intentionally heads the ball inside his/her goal area, the direct free kick must be taken approximately 12 yards from the goal line parallel to the point nearest to where the player touched the ball with his/her head. (Comparable to the position of opposing players at the taking of a goal kick)

8. Defender Intentionally Heads the Ball in Penalty Area
Infringement happens here A D D
IFK taken here R

9. Defender Intentionally Heads the Ball in Goal Area
Infringement happens here A D D
IFK taken here R

10. Attacker Intentionally Heads the Ball in Penalty Area
Infringement happens here A D D
IFK taken here R
Not a change from the current Laws

11. Attacker Intentionally Heads the Ball in Goal Area
Infringement happens here A D
IFK taken anywhere in the goal area. Offending team must be outside the penalty area (like a goal kick) D R
Not a change from the current Laws

12. Advantage
Like any infraction, advantage may be applied if the awarding of the free kick would be to the benefit of the team that committed the infraction.
AYSO recommends that advantage be applied sparingly in U8 and U10 matches, typically only in obvious goal scoring opportunities.

13. Summary
Intentionally heading the ball in U8, U10 and U12 matches will now result in an DFK (U8) or an IFK (U10 and U12).
Consider this to be a form of dangerous play.
Use the same standards for determining intent that you do for handling.
Unlike any other foul or infraction, the placement of the ball for the IFK in U10 and U12 is on the penalty area line if a defender intentionally heads the ball inside his/her goal area or penalty area. In U8, placement of the direct free kick is roughly 12 yards from the goal line if a defender intentionally heads the ball inside his/her goal area.