Summary of common factors leading to head and neck injuries in FIFA-sponsored tournaments (adapted from Fuller et al3)
| Head and neck injury category | Location on pitch | Direction of challenge | Action during challenge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| By diagnosis | Contusion | Attacking outfield | From the side | Use of upper extremity |
| Laceration/abrasion | Defensive outfield | From the side | Use of head/upper extremity | |
| Concussion | Attacking outfield | From the front | Use of head | |
| By gender | Male | Defensive outfield | From the side | Use of upper extremity |
| Female | Defensive outfield | From the front | Use of head | |