A headball ban for players in games at U12 level is to be tested by the football association.
It follows research that suggests ex-footballers are more likely to die from brain disease than other people.
The FA has received approval from the International Football Association Board to roll out the process in England from the start of the 2022/23 season.
It is coordinated with the County FA network, leagues, clubs and schools across the country.
“Should the process be successful, the aim is to remove intentional header play from all football matches at U12 level and below from the 2023/24 season,” the FA said in a statement.
Former West Bromwich Albion striker Jeff Astle and members of England’s 1966 World Cup squad including Jack Charlton and Nobby Stiles have died after suffering from brain dysfunction believed to be closely linked to headers stand.
World champion and Manchester United player Sir Bobby Charlton has been diagnosed with dementia.
Research on soccer and head trauma has shown that professional soccer players are three and a half times more likely dying of dementia than their peers in the general population.
are children under the age of 11 no longer taught to head footballs during training in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, while the FA guidelines for coaches also place limits on how much brainwork older children should do.
Last year new guidelines Recommended professional footballers in England should limit their training to 10 “higher power headers” per week.
“The FA, in consultation with stakeholders in the game, will explore further ideas to reduce header play in youth football without fundamentally changing the structure of the game,” added Monday’s statement from the Football Association.
Astle’s daughter Dawn, Project Manager for Football Neurodegenerative Diseases at the Professional Footballers’ Association, welcomed the process.
“We want all of our children to enjoy football, but they need to be able to play safely,” she said.
“The proposed new attempt to extend the pre-existing practice headline guidelines to games is a logical and sensible move.
“Football has a duty of care to continue to mitigate the risks of a header. This obligation encompasses youth football but also applies to mentoring players in the elite professional game.
“As the 2022/23 season begins, all professional clubs will need to incorporate the relevant heading guidelines into their training plans. Their responsibilities extend to their youth, women’s and men’s teams.”
