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Headers
May 12, 2014 9:08:15 GMT -5
Post by spectator on May 12, 2014 9:08:15 GMT -5
My daughter suffered heat exhaustion and a mild concussion yesterday in our game. We went to the ER as a precaution - she wasn't showing the symptoms of a concussion initially but she was definitely out of it and not herself. It was a very physical game and she did take a hard hard hit and came up woozy. NOT the Mother's Day present I wanted but she's OK now so I'm grateful! The ER doc lectured - I mean strongly reprimanded and lectured - us on the dangers of headers citing 'recent articles'. The most recent I could find is this one: www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2014/02/soccer_headers_and_children_why_kids_shouldn_t_be_allowed_to_hit_the_ball.htmlI know as they get older, the force of the ball is much stronger but honestly, how do you avoid a header when everyone in the game is taking them? When she was feeling better and the ER doc had left, my daughter asked how was she supposed to play the ball if it's in the air? And how would a 'no headers' rule ever be enforced - would the ref call it like an offsides and allow the other team to kick from the mark? Above all I want to protect the players but these kids play hard - I can't see them not going all out and trying to win the ball even if it involves their head. Your thoughts? |
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Post by fan on May 12, 2014 11:52:10 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about your daughter. I hope she's feeling better today.
I occasionally see players wearing a headband (like Full 90 or ForceField). I wonder if the manufacturers' websites have any data on whether they help prevent concussions. Even if they only reduce the likelihood of a concussion by a little bit, it's probably worth it especially for someone who's already had one concussion. The ForceField one is interesting to me since it looks more like a regular headband and less like a helmet (thus maybe more likely to be worn) and can be run under cold water to be using for cooling too.
Some nearby schools are starting to do concussion baseline tests. Do any clubs do this?
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Headers
May 12, 2014 13:53:57 GMT -5
Post by spectator on May 12, 2014 13:53:57 GMT -5
our club does the concussion baseline testing - we hadn't gotten around to it so I wonder how this will affect any baseline?
I've seen the headbands and told the ER doc about them, He said that may cushion a blow but would not prevent a concussion and that no company or product should ever say they can 'prevent' anything like that. This guy was vehemently anti-header. He basically said no headers or no soccer at all. The second ER doc wasn't as militant but did say to avoid all activity if she had headaches this week.
My daughter is fine today - she was fine last night after she had the IV fluids so we're thinking it was more heat and dehydration. She doesn't sub out and it was hot as Hades yesterday - and muggy! Several of our players said they felt sick during/after the game. The only symptom of a concussion my kid had was the headache - no nausea or dizzyness - just a hurt head - which honestly, could have been taking a header the wrong way, getting shoved down to the ground a few times or pollen (we all have allergies). She ate (a lot) last night, kept everything down and felt good - albeit sore - this morning.
She's sitting out today and we'll see how she feels the rest of the week for activities. I need to tell her coach what the ER doc was saying and get the coach's take on how to protect kids while still playing the game. We don't want to wait until we have a bunch of kids with severe brain damage to prove this doctor was right - but surely there's some way to protect players without padding them up like football players or banning headers entirely.
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Headers
May 12, 2014 19:56:17 GMT -5
Post by rifle on May 12, 2014 19:56:17 GMT -5
I'm close to a kid with a recent second concussion at age 13. The first was not from soccer, and came at age 11. Currently taking a break from heading balls, probably for the summer. Fairly lucky timing, all (soccer) things considered. The second concussion was a head to head collision on the soccer field. Bad luck happens..
So I understand the concerns and it does concern me also. A couple points I consider:
First, I see very little need to head a towering punt, despite having done it a thousand times myself. The ones I remember (no pun intended) stinging the most are the line drive crosses or shots coming from close range. Absorbing that kind of energy comes at a price. So take the punt with your feet or chest, play it first touch to a teammate's foot and get busy.
Second, I honestly think that a properly executed header doesn't hurt you. The neck muscles must be clenched and the ball hit by the thick part of the skull. If the ball hits you another way, you're doing it wrong. Weak neck muscles can result in whiplash effect, and that needs to be coached out of kids starting very young. It would be nice to see GA soccer offer some how-to videos.
Lastly. Just because it doesn't hurt you doesn't mean it's not bad for you. I still head soccer balls and often get a little but shaken, but it's not a ringing pain, just a quick sting. Probably not good for me, but I do it anyway. I might be stupid from heading all those punts...
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Post by jack4343 on May 12, 2014 20:05:52 GMT -5
Sorry to hear that about your daughter. Glad she's better today. Yes, it was extremely hot yesterday. Headaches are common with heat related problems as well so it could've very well been the heat and lack of hydration. I'm big on hydration. I have to do it at my work (I drive for UPS) and have felt the effects of not being hydrated. We've had guys fall out in the back of the truck from heat stroke and heat exhaustion. I stress this to both of my daughters that they should be hydrating themselves much earlier than game time but of course it falls on deaf ears for the most part. Kids are just so invincible, you know.
As far as headers are concerned, I've seen articles on both sides of the fence. Some say they are the biggest cause of concussions in soccer but some say that falls, collisions and accidental contact in the head with the ball are much more dangerous than headers.
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Headers
May 13, 2014 9:38:20 GMT -5
Post by spectator on May 13, 2014 9:38:20 GMT -5
First, I see very little need to head a towering punt, despite having done it a thousand times myself. The ones I remember (no pun intended) stinging the most are the line drive crosses or shots coming from close range. Absorbing that kind of energy comes at a price. S o take the punt with your feet or chest, play it first touch to a teammate's foot and get busy. Only problem there - GIRLS SOCCER! They've taken a few to the chest before and come up with 'Owwwww' afterwards. LOL I hear you on the hard punts - that ER doc may want to go check out the U14 Athens girls in about 5-10 years - every single punt they took it with their heads - we even commented on it during our game that it was really really a lot of heading when it didn't need to be. And in our game Sunday, there were a lot of pop up balls the girls were taking with their heads -I didn't think any of them were that hard but they must have been. I think when they practice header drills, the ball isn't as hard as it'd be in a game so maybe they get too comfortable and fearless when they're in a game taking those hits? Who knows - I think their competitive spirit takes over most times and they play like they're all nine feet tall and bulletproof! |
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Headers
May 13, 2014 10:04:14 GMT -5
Post by Soccerhouse on May 13, 2014 10:04:14 GMT -5
i think a lot of concussions in girls soccer comes from getting hit in the head with the ball vs headers.
taking one in the back of the head. girls just banging the ball for no reason, and it smashes a girl in the back of the head 3-5 yards away. its happened to my daughter 3 times. no concussions, but she got up and looked at her teammate and just was like what are you doing!
girls neck muscles are not nearly as strong as boys, and makes it much more difficult to absorb the impact.
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Headers
May 13, 2014 19:12:00 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by rifle on May 13, 2014 19:12:00 GMT -5
Also very curious about the "band" helmets. I can see them being useful protection for knocking heads or elbows to the head.. but taking some acclimation to properly head a ball with that strap across the forehead.
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