Analysis of Some Biomechanical Variables of the Heading Skill from a Jump and Their Relationship to Shooting Accuracy in Advanced Football Players

The study aimed to develop a test for the accuracy of heading the ball from a jump and to analyze certain biomechanical variables to identify common errors made by players while performing this skill inside the 18-yard box. Observations from clubs in Nineveh Governorate indicated a weakness in heading skills, even though in football, this skill is crucial for finishing attacks and executing corner kicks. Modern attacking tactics used by some coaches rely on crosses, which often confuse the defensive line. Successfully dealing with these crosses typically requires jumping headers, allowing the player to rise higher than defenders and accurately direct the ball toward the goal. This involves selecting the right target area based on the goalkeepers position and aiming for the far side of the goal, away from the keeper.The researcher identified the study population as the five football clubs in Nineveh Governorate, comprising 75 players. The test was developed and implemented with this group, and the eight best-performing players were selected for video recording and analysis during the execution of the test. Video footage was captured at 120 frames per second to analyse and extract biomechanical variables, obtain data, and statistically process the results.