As we approach the season 23/24 The FA have announced that Youth Leagues across the country are being given the opportunity to join the 2nd year of the pilot to ‘remove deliberate heading within youth football’ (U12s and below)

Based upon the comprehensive feedback from the first year of the trial it is clear that the restart protocol from within the penalty area needed to be reviewed. So from next season, we will be testing alternative restart laws. The revised restart law is as follows, with the change underlined to help highlight the relevant amendment:

2022/23 Restart Law:

Deliberately heading the ball is an offence punishable by an indirect free kick. This will also mean the introduction of indirect free-kicks within mini-soccer for this circumstance. The indirect free kick is taken at the point where the ball was deliberately headed, except: Where a player of the defending team deliberately heads the balls in their own penalty area, the indirect free kick is taken from the penalty mark.

2023/24 Restart Law:

Deliberately heading the ball is an offence punishable by an indirect free kick. This will also mean the introduction of indirect free-kicks within mini-soccer for this circumstance. The indirect free kick is taken at the point where the ball was deliberately headed, except: Where a player deliberately heads the ball within their own penalty area, the referee will stop the game and restart with an indirect free-kick to the opposition from the nearest side line of the penalty area where the offence took place.

To join the pilot at chosen age groups U12 or below please click the button.

Join the Pilot