Heading performance outcomes at the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019™

This study evaluated the performance outcomes of headers during the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019™. Video analysis was used to code performance outcomes of headers (uncontested and contested) and their descriptors (e.g., playing position, match situation, field location, and the distance the ball travelled). Descriptive statistics, and odds ratios (ORs) (odds of a successful outcome) are reported for headers based on their descriptors. Less than half of all headers resulted in a successful outcome, with headers observed to result in a turnover of possession 53% of the time (uncontested: 51%, contested: 57%). Headed goal conversion rates ranged from 0–38% across countries/teams (mean: 13%), with variability in the frequency of headed shots (range n = 1–22). Headed shots were most efficient from free kicks with 24% of shots resulting in a goal. Odds of a successful heading outcome was lowest from long balls (>20 m) in all areas of the pitch. Uncontested headers had greater odds of a successful heading outcome than contested headers from corner kicks (OR: 2.33, p = 0.004 ) and free play (OR: 1.30, p = 0.001 ), but had lower odds of success from goal kicks (OR: 0.62, p = 0.017 ). Central defensive midfielders (OR: 1.45, p = 0.002 ) and centrebacks (OR: 1.25, p = <0.001 ) had significantly greater odds of successful heading outcomes, and strikers (uncontested) (OR: 0.82, p = 0.043 ) and wingers (contested) (OR: 0.72, p = 0.041 ) had the lowest. The findings of the current study suggest that heading commonly results in lost possession, particularly from long balls. These findings may help to guide future heading coaching frameworks.