Differences in Heading between Men and Women, with Kerry Peek

This episode explores the technical aspects of heading in football, its differences between men and women, and its importance for player safety. We’ll be talking with Kerry Peek, a leading researcher on this topic who recently compared men’s and women’s heading techniques in a publication in BMJ Open SEM. We’ve highlighted practical insights to improve heading techniques, coaching strategies, and player safety. Key takeaways include skill development, protective techniques, and fostering communication between coaches, players, and support staff. By implementing these, we can make the game safer and more effective. The complete study is free to access here.Reference: Kerry Peek, Julia Georgieva, Andreas Serner, Filip Orest - Differences in the technical performance of heading between men and women football players during FIFA World Cup 2022 and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 matches: BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 2024;10:e002066.