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Heading Policy | Referees

In compliance with the US Soccer Concussion Initiative, implementation by EDP Soccer will be as follows:

There will be no deliberate heading in all EDP games 11U & younger

 If a referee judges that the heading is deliberate, the restart will be an indirect free kick to the opponent – unless the ball gets headed directly out-of-play. (Outside the field of play)

If a ball is headed & remains on the field of play:
 

  • The restart will be an indirect free kick for the opposing team at the spot of the infraction.

    • If a defender deliberately heads the ball ANY WHERE within his/her own penalty area, the location of the indirect free kick will be at the spot closest to the infraction on the penalty area line parallel to the goal line

If a ball is headed directly off the field of play
 

  • ​​If a ball is deliberately headed and the ball leaves the field of play at a touchline, the restart will be a throw-in for the opponent

  • If a ball is deliberately headed and the ball leaves the field of play at a goal line, the restart will be a goal kick, corner kick of a kick-off:

    • If an attacking player deliberately heads the ball over the goal line, the restart will be a goal kick

    • If a defending player deliberately heads the ball over the goal line, the restart will be a corner kick or a kick-off

      • If defender play deliberate heads the ball but it still enters his/her own goal, a goal will be awarded and the restart is a kick-off

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