CONTROL SHOOTING PASSING DRIBBLING TURNING HEADING CREATE SPACE INDIVIDUAL DEFENDING SUPPORT PLAY GOALKEEPING CROSSING TACKLING THE THROW IN ATTACKING SET PLAYS DEFENDING SET PLAYS THE FREE KICK

HEADING

Please select a subsection from the topics below :

A basic introduction    Progression   Progression II    Progression III   Progression IV    Going for accuracy    Against opposition    Progression (defence)    Control    Heading for Goal    Practices for Heading    Practice for Heading II    Conditioned Games (Control)    Attack v Defence   Conditioned Games     Heading for Distance   Skilled Touches (Heading)

PROGRESSION I

Practice to improve on heading for distance (10 metre square)
S (server) throws the ball to X1, who then has to head the ball over S to X.
X2 then controls the ball with either foot, chest, or head, then returns it to S to repeat the practice.

All 3 players in the practice can rotate duties so that all players get the opportunity to work at heading.

As players improve, this practice can be performed in a larger area, although the organiser/coach of the session must insist on accuracy whenever possible.

Coaching points for the player heading

1 Eyes on the ball all the time
2 Move into the line of the service (by using the fee)
3 Head the ball with the forehead
4 Almost side-on with the body when heading
5 Go for power, by stressing the use of the neck muscles
6 Try and increase the distance of the headed clearance

Practice 2

To teach players about the awareness and competition from other players here is a practice, one used by many professional clubs, particularly at junior level.

Organisation

Again using a 10 metre square, but starting this time with the server (S) being no more than 5 metres away from X1 (who will head the ball). This time defender (D) is introduced he stands 1 metre in front of X1 and to start he remains static.

1 S lobs the ball above D (who is stationary) and X1 jumps and heads the ball back to S – again insisting on the coaching points made in the previous practice.
2 This is repeated several times and the players S, D, + X, can rotate duties.
3 To progress D can take a step backward to make it more difficult for X1 to head the ball.
4 To progress even further D can jump to try and head the ball himself- although the server should still lob the ball more favourably towards X1.

Coaching points

1 The service must be accurate.
2 Ensure all the technical points from practice 1 are still followed.
3 The player X1, must assess the flight of the ball, and then attack it when he goes to head the ball.
4 He should be encouraged to put power into his header, and this will (as the practice progresses) involve body contact with D.