U.S. Soccer is considering a new safety program, and it could include a ban on headers for children 10 years old and below. American medical experts have developed the program “Recognize to Recover,” which aims to help those involved in the sport prevent and manage soccer-related injuries.

U.S. Soccer officials are mindful of the concussion-related issues in American sports, especially with the controversy surrounding the head injuries in American football.

"Recognize to Recover will lead to better awareness and understanding of player health and safety initiatives and strengthen the role parents, players, coaches and officials play in preventing, protecting and addressing injuries," George Chiampas, the chief medical officer for U.S. Soccer, said, as quoted in an AFP report. "We know the vast majority of concussions occur when there is contact between players trying to head the ball. By reducing the number of those aerial challenges to head the ball, we believe we will decrease the incident of concussions."

"US Soccer is committed to being the leader in lasting change that has a positive impact on the game. We created Recognize to Recover to elevate player health and safety and bring players, coaches, parents and officials together to help ensure safe play at all levels,” Sunil Gulati, the president of U.S. Soccer, added.

The probable ban on headers for the children is among the changes that were recommended by the governing body of soccer in the United States. Others include providing time for evaluation by professionals of suspected concussion-related injuries on the field with the team not being penalised and changing the rules on substitution count for players who suffer “a significant blow to the head” or suspected concussions, among others.

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