MYSA Concussion Protocols & 2025 No-Heading Rule Update

MYSA Concussion Protocols & 2025 No-Heading Rule Update

This presentation reviews the Montana Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) Concussion Management Protocols. It also outlines the 2025 MYSA No-Heading Rule Update, which states:

• Heading is prohibited for U11 and younger age groups.

• The prohibition applies to any match in which at least one participating team is U11 or younger, regardless of the opposing team’s age group.

• All members are expected to comply with these policies to ensure player safety and risk mitigation.

Learning Outcomes

​What the MYSA concussion protocols are for any age​ group. We will learn the difference between a header and the ball striking a player in the head. We will learn the correct restart for case where a player commits a header infraction in a U11 or younger match. We will learn the correct restart when the ball hits a player in the head and the referee stops the match to evaluate a player for a possible injury.

US Soccer Concussion Initiative

Per U.S. Soccer’s Concussion Initiative, if a player exhibits any signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion the referee is instructed to stop play to allow for treatment/evaluation as needed. The player with the suspected head injury may not return to the game unless a Healthcare Professional or Certified Athletic Trainer has cleared the player in writing. The game report must include information on any player suspected to have a head injury. Any coach or parent insisting on returning the player to the game without approved clearance will result in the referee ending the game.

MYSA Concussion Policy

🛑 Immediate Removal An athletic trainer, coach, or official (referee) must remove a youth athlete immediately if the they exhibit any signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion. ❌ No Same-Day Return The athlete may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care professional and receives written medical clearance. 📌 MYSA Requirement The official MYSA concussion clearance form (available on the MYSA website) must be completed by the licensed health care professional and returned to MYSA before participation resumes. When in doubt, sit them out!

Concussion Policy for Players of any Age.

• Other leagues and competitions may have different concussion protocols and return to play procedures.

• Most all youth competitions/leagues in Montana follow the state law that applies to school age players:

20-7-1304. Youth athletes -- removal from participation following concussion

• Remember, Montana State Law does not require the diagnosis of a concussion to hold a player out. All that is needed is the suspicion of a head injury for that player.

• Check with the local rules of competition for reporting details and protocols.

When in doubt, sit them out.

Concussion Policy for Players of any Age.

MYSA strictly enforces Montana Code Title 20. Education, Chapter 7. School Instruction and Special Programs, Part 13

• If it is suspected a player may have sustained a head injury, the referee shall stop play and allow the player time to leave the field.

• That player shall be removed from participation if the player exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion and may not return to play without written clearance from a licensed athletic trainer or healthcare professional.

• Remember, Montana State Law does not require the diagnosis of a concussion to hold a player out. All that is needed is the suspicion of a head injury for that player.

• If in doubt, sit them out.

• Details must be given in the game report.

Concussion Policy Return to Play.

Medical Clearance is Required Before Return Play

• Players with suspected head injuries may only return to play with the written clearance of a Licensed Trainer or Healthcare Professional.

• Any coach or parent insisting on returning the player to the game without the required clearance will result in the referee terminating the game.

• The game report must include information on any player suspected to have a head injury.

Heading at U11 and Younger

Concussion Initiative • Heading is not allowed in u11 and younger matches in Montana. • If a player heads the ball in a game, whether deliberately or accidentally, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. • If a header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred.

Heading at U11 and Younger

So What is Heading?

• Heading the ball is an action taken by the player.  It requires action from the player, whether the outcome (heading the ball) is deliberate or not.

• Getting hit in the head by the ball is a passive activity, one not initiated by the player, and therefore should not be punished with an IFK. In this case we should Stop play for injury concern and restart with a Dropped Ball.

To simplify - if the player takes an action that results in them heading the ball (deliberately or accidentally), then the restart should be an IDFK. If the player takes no action, and is struck by the ball, no infraction has occurred. Please review the current dropped ball requirements/changes in Law 8.

Heading at U11 and Younger

So What is Heading?

• If a player jumps and heads the ball, that is a deliberate action. If the player jumps toward the ball, and the ball accidentally hits the player’s head, that was not deliberate, but still resulted from an action taken by player.

So again: To simplify - if the player takes an action that results in them heading the ball (deliberately or accidentally), then it should be an IFK. If the player takes no action, and is struck by the ball, no infraction has occurred.

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Heading at U11 and Younger

So What is Heading?

• . If the player takes no action, and is struck by the ball, no infraction has occurred. If you stop the match to check the player out, the restart is a dropped ball.

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Heading at U11 and Younger

So What is Heading?

• If a player jumps and heads the ball, that is a deliberate action. If the player jumps toward the ball, and the ball accidentally hits the player’s head, that was not deliberate, but still resulted from an action taken by player.

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Restarts

To simplify, did the ball hit the head or did the head hit the ball?

• If the player takes an action that results in them heading the ball in a U11 or younger match: we stop the game and restart with an IFK to the opposing team.  

• If the player takes no action and is struck by the ball in the head, no infraction has occurred. If we stop the game to evaluate the player, the restart is a dropped ball. This is what we do for any age group.

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Heading at U11 and Younger

A player shall not be cautioned nor sent-off for persistent infringement or denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity, as a result of a heading infraction.

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If you work out of State

These are the rules of competition for Montana

• If you travel out of state, be sure to check the local rules of competition.

• Each state and organization is different

• Examples:

Many states have the IFK for the restart in all cases. Some states have the no heading rule at different ages.

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Question 1

The Ball bounced off of the crossbar and hits a u11 player in the back of the head. The referee stops the match to assess the player for an injury. The correct restart is

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Question 2

A defender on the goal line deliberately heads the ball to stop a goal. The referee stops the game, checks the player out for injury. The player should be sent off for DOGSO. True. False.

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