Como youth heading ban

In late July 2026, Italian Serie A club Como 1907 announced a new protocol restricting heading in its youth academy. The first notice, dated 23 July, banned heading for players up to the under‑11 level, replacing head‑ball situations with foot play and planning a gradual re‑introduction using lighter balls for older groups. Former French international Raphael Varane, who serves on the club’s Board of Education, advocated the rule, citing his own concussion experience.

Three days later, Como provided further detail. The updated policy specifies a complete prohibition for under‑10s, limited, light‑ball heading for under‑11s, and capped heading sessions for under‑12 and under‑13 groups (five headers per session, with weekly or monthly frequency limits). Throw‑ins and corners are executed at ground level across all ages. The club frames the measures as part of a broader European effort to protect young brains from repeated head impacts and hopes the approach will influence other academies.

Both announcements emphasize player safety, reference emerging research on neuro‑degenerative risks, and align with guidance from the Italian Football Federation.