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)

GOING FOR ACCURACY

Practice 1

Diagram 1

In three's, players (A), (B) and (C) with one ball, players around 10-12 metres apart.

(A) throws to (B) (who should be made to leap), then (B) heads back to (C) or to (A) who has changed his position to (A2)

Players rotate duties, and occasionally the server can throw just wide of the target man, so that he has to readjust his position quickly before heading the ball.

NB. COACHES CAN VARY DISTANCES, AND ALTER THE HEIGHT OF THE SERVICE

Practice 2

Diagram 2

4 players, one ball, players start 10 metres apart.

In diagram (2) (C) (server) throws to (A) who heads on to (D) who heads to (B) who heads to (C) and so the practice goes on until the ball hits the ground.

Players do not have to follow a regimented routine and coaches should insist on movement from the 3 players not waiting to head the ball

So (A) could head back to (C) who could head to anyone of the other three

Coaches should alter distances between players. AS A VARIATION, A MARKER IS PLACED 5 metres away so that every player after heading the ball has to run round the marker before rejoining the group (perhaps in a new position).

THIS GETS PLAYERS INTO THE HABIT, NOT ONLY OF HEADING ACCURATELY, BUT ALSO TO MOVE INTO A NEW POSITION ONCE THEY HAVE MADE CONTACT WITH THE BALL.

At all times players should be encouraged to work at improving the basics of heading technique on their own or with a partner.

(1) Heading continuously a ball between two players
(2) One player heading a ball continuously against a wall
(3) Balancing the ball on the forehead, or continually bouncing the ball on the head

To progress (players spread over half the field, in three's, with a ball in each trio)

So in group (A), (B) and (C), (A) serves by kicking the ball, (at least over 25 metres) to (B) who heads down to a moving target (C)

With various sets over an area of approx 50 metres square, players have to accustom themselves to heading while other players and balls are moving around.

Sometimes it can be crowded, so accurate service and heading is called for.