Can we prepare young female players for heading in football? The feasibility and acceptability of HeaderPrep.

Ross, AG; Whalan, M; Duffield, R; Peek, K

Can we prepare young female players for heading in football? The feasibility and acceptability of HeaderPrep.

Ross, AG Whalan, M Duffield, R

Peek, K

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Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: J Sci Med Sport, 2025, 28, (11), pp. 894-899
Issue Date:: 2025-11

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Ross, AG
dc.contributor.author	Whalan, M
dc.contributor.author	Duffield, R https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5641-1314
dc.contributor.author	Peek, K
dc.date.accessioned	2026-01-21T05:17:02Z
dc.date.available	2025-05-23
dc.date.available	2026-01-21T05:17:02Z
dc.date.issued	2025-11
dc.identifier.citation	J Sci Med Sport, 2025, 28, (11), pp. 894-899
dc.identifier.issn	1440-2440
dc.identifier.issn	1878-1861
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/192143
dc.description.abstract	This study investigated the feasibility and acceptability of a novel programme designed to prepare players to learn heading in football (HeaderPrep). Forty-five players from four different girls' teams (under-11, under-12, under-13, under-15) and five coaches completed the programme over six weeks followed by completion of an evaluation survey. Our findings suggest that the programme enhanced players' confidence in heading the ball. Additionally, both players and coaches observed improvements in heading skill development. Most players (84.4%) also stated they would recommend HeaderPrep to others and found it fun. HeaderPrep may be a feasible introduction prior to starting formal heading training in football.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation.ispartof	J Sci Med Sport
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.jsams.2025.05.014
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 1116 Medical Physiology, 1117 Public Health and Health Services
dc.subject.classification	Sport Sciences
dc.subject.classification	3202 Clinical sciences
dc.subject.classification	4207 Sports science and exercise
dc.subject.classification	5201 Applied and developmental psychology
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Soccer
dc.subject.mesh	Feasibility Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent
dc.subject.mesh	Child
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Feasibility Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Soccer
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent
dc.subject.mesh	Child
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Soccer
dc.subject.mesh	Feasibility Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent
dc.subject.mesh	Child
dc.title	Can we prepare young female players for heading in football? The feasibility and acceptability of HeaderPrep.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	28
utslib.location.activity	Australia
utslib.for	1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences
utslib.for	1116 Medical Physiology
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2026-01-21T05:17:00Z
pubs.issue	11
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	28
utslib.citation.issue	11

Abstract:

This study investigated the feasibility and acceptability of a novel programme designed to prepare players to learn heading in football (HeaderPrep). Forty-five players from four different girls' teams (under-11, under-12, under-13, under-15) and five coaches completed the programme over six weeks followed by completion of an evaluation survey. Our findings suggest that the programme enhanced players' confidence in heading the ball. Additionally, both players and coaches observed improvements in heading skill development. Most players (84.4%) also stated they would recommend HeaderPrep to others and found it fun. HeaderPrep may be a feasible introduction prior to starting formal heading training in football.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/192143