Contested headers between two players, tracked as aerial duels won and lost, used to assess a team's physical dominance in the air.
An aerial duel is recorded whenever two players challenge for a header. Each challenge is logged separately for the winner and loser, meaning a single duel produces one "won" and one "lost" entry. Aerial duel win percentage measures how often a player or team wins contested headers across a match or season.
Aerial duel data is most relevant for centre-backs, defensive midfielders, and target strikers. Tall, physically dominant players — typically those over 6'1" — dominate these metrics. In the Premier League, elite aerial defenders win 65–75% of aerial challenges.
Teams that dominate aerially at set pieces create a consistent corners and long-ball advantage. Aerial duel win rates at corners and crosses predict both defensive headers cleared and attacking headers on target. For corner betting markets, identifying teams with strong aerial advantage at set pieces is a useful edge — they both win more defensive headers and create more headed chances at the other end.
Shots on Target
Attempts that require a save or result in a goal, excluding blocked shots and shots that miss the frame.
Big Chance
A shot situation where the attacking player is in a strong position and would normally be expected to score — typically defined as xG ≥ 0.35.
xG (Expected Goals)
A metric that scores every shot by its probability of resulting in a goal, based on factors like shot location, angle, and assist type.
Why Power Matters in Football: Sprints, Jumps, Shots, and Duels
Power — force × velocity — underpins every explosive football action: sprint accelerations, jumps, shots, tackles, and aerial duels. We explain why power outranks pure strength.
Are All Football Pitches the Same Size? IFAB Rules and Variation
No — football pitches are not all the same size. IFAB Law 1 specifies a range, not a fixed value. We explain the rules, the famous-pitch dimensions, and why size affects tactics.
How Is the Fotmob Rating Calculated? The 0-10 Player Score Explained
Fotmob's player ratings (0-10) blend WhoScored's rating engine with Fotmob's own contextual adjustments. We explain the inputs, weightings, and where the numbers can mislead.
Why Is Flexibility Important in Football? Performance and Injury Prevention
Flexibility in football enables full range of motion for sprinting, kicking, change of direction, and aerial duels. We explain why it matters, where to focus, and how to train it.
What Is Footvolley? Brazilian Beach Sport, Rules, and Where to Play
Footvolley is a Brazilian beach sport combining football and volleyball — no hands, two players per side, played over a volleyball net on sand. We explain the rules, history, and global growth.
Football Positions Explained: Every Role on the Pitch
Football has 11 positions across goalkeeper, defence, midfield, and attack — but each can split into multiple specialised roles. We map every position with modern responsibilities and examples.
For informational and educational purposes only. Disclaimer
