Analyzing corner strategies and their effectiveness in the top teams in the French women’s professional football league (D1 Arkema)

Abstract

This study analyses how corners were taken by the top six teams in the French women’s professional championship during the first part of the 2021/2022 season. A total of 307 corners were analyzed, looking at the way they were taken, the balance of power in the penalty area and the delivery area. The balance of power in the penalty area had no effect on the corner outcome (p > 0.05). However, the type of delivery (outswing, inswing, short) in which the corner was taken and the zone in which the ball arrived did have an impact on the corner outcome (p < 0.05). Shots and goal attempts were more numerous when the corner was taken in an inswing direction and arrived in the near post zone (Z1), the intermediate near post zone (Z4) and the penalty spot zone (Z5). These results may help coaches to improve the offensive effectiveness of corners in women’s football.