The number of purposeful headers female youth soccer players experience during games depends on player age but not player position

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the frequency and characteristics of purposeful soccer heading in youth players based on age, position, and head impact location.

Methods: Game video was recorded for three female youth teams [under-13 (U13), under-14 (U14), and under-15 (U15)] for an entire season. Purposeful headers were categorized for these three teams and their opposition.

Results: The median number of headers experienced during games was one, and the minimum number of headers was zero. The maximum number of headers performed during a game by a U13 player was eight, and nine for U14 and U15 players. There were statistically significant differences in the number of headers performed in the different age groups (p < 0.05), but no significant differences between player position (p > 0.05). There was no significant association between head impact location and game scenario (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: Our study shows that youth players frequently head the ball during games. This information may guide data-driven approaches regarding heading restrictions in youth soccer.

KEYWORDS:

• Repetitive
• sports
• adolescent
• prevention
• coaching
• football

Practical Implications

Female youth players frequently head the ball during games. This head impact exposure may influence cognitive functioning. Coaching strategies that focus on heading technique may help reduce cumulative heading exposure in youth soccer.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.