Heading Policy

CJSL follows the US Youth Soccer and Eastern New York heading restrictions for youth players. These rules are designed to protect player safety and must be followed during matches, competitions, and organized team training.

Age Group Heading Rules

U11 and Younger

Players aged 11 and under are not permitted to head the ball in any match, competition, or organized team practice.

U12 and U13

Heading is limited in practice. Players may not exceed 30 minutes of heading training per week, with no more than 15–20 headers per player, per week.

U13 and Older

Players aged 13 and older are permitted to head the ball during matches, competitions, and organized practice sessions.

Clubs should apply individual player consideration. For example, a 10-year-old playing in a U12 match should not head the ball at all. An 11- or 12-year-old playing at U14 should still follow the applicable practice restrictions.

Referee Enforcement During Matches

Referees will enforce heading restrictions based on the age group of the match. Referees are not responsible for assessing the age of individual players on the field.

If a U11 or younger player deliberately heads the ball:

  • The referee shall award an indirect free kick to the opposing team.
  • The kick is taken from the spot of the infraction.
  • If the header occurs inside the goal area, the indirect free kick is taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line, at the point nearest to where the infraction occurred.
  • If the player does not deliberately head the ball, play should continue.

Indirect Free Kick Placement Diagram

When a deliberate header occurs by a restricted-age player, the restart location depends on where the infraction happens.

Header occurs here
Indirect free kick taken here

If the deliberate header occurs inside the goal area, the indirect free kick is moved out to the goal area line, parallel to the goal line, at the nearest point to the infraction.

Additional Clarifications

  • Players in U11 programs and younger may not head the ball in practices or games.
  • Players in U12 and U13 programs are limited to controlled heading in practice only.
  • Heading limits apply across all organized team settings.
  • Clubs and coaches are responsible for monitoring heading activity during training.
  • Referees enforce the match rule by age group, not by checking individual player ages.