PURPOSE: To explore the mechanism of potential head injury situations in women and girl’s football.

METHODS:  Potential head injury data were collected and analysed  from match videos including girls’ teams aged 12-17 years as well as FIFA Women’s World Cup matches. Head injury data were coded for mechanism and preceding match scenario. 

RESULTS: In total 215 potential head injury situations were coded. The most common mechanism of injury was due to player-player contact (99%) with arm/elbow to head contact accounting for 28% of potential head injury situations, followed by head-to-head (21%) and ground to head (11%). Purposeful headers accounted for 5% of potential head injury situations with unintentional ball to head contact involved in 10% of injuries. Players were more likely to be involved in a potential head injury situation when competing for an aerial ball than any other match scenario.

CONCLUSION: Women and girls are more likely to be injured during player to player contact when competing for an aerial ball. Teaching players protective body positioning during heading duels appears warranted as a primary head injury prevention strategy.