yellowbow
Well-known member
- Joined
- 7 Dec 2017
- Messages
- 6,440
Apologies if Ive missed it but this is a subject that I would have thought would be getting a bit more airtime on these boards. There seems to be a growing noise about the subject and now Terry Butcher has come out this morning to throw his weight behind the banning of heading in the game. He says something along the lines of ‘people just want to see good football, tackling has changed a lot in the last few years and heading is also unnecessary’
I just wondered what other peoples views on the subject are? I know there is a risk and more needs to be learned about reducing the long term risk but, for me personally, if heading was taken out of the game Id probably stop watching. To ban heading, a rule of below shoulder height would need to be introduced. Would a full size pitch then really be necessary, or 11 players a side even? Its not too far a stretch from reality and then, low and behold, we’ll be watching 5 or 6 a side football. Not something Id particularly want to spend the same amount to watch as we do for the present format. Also, would big, physical players be necessary? Anyone who isnt quick with a low centre of gravity would become obsolete and may as well forget it.
Once football has been made completely risk free what would be next? Rugby and boxing wouldnt have much of an argument to carry on as they are now for starters.
I dont mean to be insensitive, I along with too many others, have had family members struck down with dementia. Its an awful, heartbreaking disease, but the potential ramifications of such a huge change to the game we love would be immeasurable and possibly terminal.
I just wondered what other peoples views on the subject are? I know there is a risk and more needs to be learned about reducing the long term risk but, for me personally, if heading was taken out of the game Id probably stop watching. To ban heading, a rule of below shoulder height would need to be introduced. Would a full size pitch then really be necessary, or 11 players a side even? Its not too far a stretch from reality and then, low and behold, we’ll be watching 5 or 6 a side football. Not something Id particularly want to spend the same amount to watch as we do for the present format. Also, would big, physical players be necessary? Anyone who isnt quick with a low centre of gravity would become obsolete and may as well forget it.
Once football has been made completely risk free what would be next? Rugby and boxing wouldnt have much of an argument to carry on as they are now for starters.
I dont mean to be insensitive, I along with too many others, have had family members struck down with dementia. Its an awful, heartbreaking disease, but the potential ramifications of such a huge change to the game we love would be immeasurable and possibly terminal.