Heading on Defense

Purpose:

By the end of the session the players should understand proper heading techniques learned while playing fun competitive games. The skill of using the head to clear a ball in the defensive third is essential. While a cleared ball the center is all right, the ball remains in the most dangerous part of the field; the center. Therefore balls should be cleared as wide as possible. And while a low hard driven ball is great when attacking, when defending the ball should be placed higher to keep the opponent from reestablishing possession and again trying to score.

Equipment:

Cones, pinnies, balls.

Progression:

Fundamental:
The session begins with no pressure and the players moving in a circle looking to head the ball back to the players on the outside. Coaching points should be made here on the technique of heading, especially the movement of the core of the body. Progress to heading in the air and the proper technique involved there.

Match Related:
The practice moves into the game stage here as the players are looking to move the ball from side to side with the only way to score points is thru a header. The players will learn how to add velocity to the head ball as without it scoring will be difficult. The session then moves to finishing with the feet in the same game with the focus being on accuracy as opposed to power.

Match Condition:
Finish with two games that encourage quick ball movement and understanding of off the ball movement and decision making. The first focuses on finishing with the feet, the second adds the emphasis to finishing with the head.

Coaching Points:

• Get both feet set on the ground in a stagger stance to keep stability
• Get your hands up to keep stable as well.
• Lean back with feet planted and snap through with head and back for power.
• Keep eyes on the ball.
• Strike ball with the top part of the forehead to minimize injury and to maximize directional force.
• In the air, get up in the air and strike the at or near its maximum point.
• Keep the body facing one direction to add power.
• Look to place the ball downward with power and accuracy
• Snap the body thru to add power.
• Get under the ball and drive it upward
• Clear the ball high and wide when clearing defensively

Activity

Setup

Brazil

• Players form a circle about 10 yards in radius.
• All players are involved.
• One ball per two players
• Split into two groups. One group stays on the outside of the circle, one is on the inside.
• The group on the inside must work around the circle looking to receive a ball from the outside and knock back with a header over the head of the stationary player while keeping the feet on the ground.
• Progress to jumping headers
• Switch every minute.
• To make competitive count; losers do pushups or some sort of fun punishment
• Restrict from just running in a circle by making them run through the rectangle in the middle (made by cones)
• Add a defender for passive(or aggressive) pressure
  

Coaching Points:

• Keep both feet on ground.
• Get feet set, move back and head through the ball.
• Get arms up and use to propel weight forward.
• Get under the ball and strike upward as contact is made

2 v 2 in a 20x10

• Red vs blue– pairs catch and throw with hands to partner who tries to head over endline for 1 point.
• Ball must be above the heads of the opponent to score
• Progress to a 2nd header back on a return is 2 points
• Restrictions:
  • Can’t cross midline.
  • Only use body to defend

Coaching Points:

• Keep both feet on ground.
• Get feet set, move back and head through the ball.
• Get arms up and use to propel weight forward.
• Get under the ball and strike upward as contact is made

3 v 2 in the box

• Inside of the eighteen box (44x18)
• 3 defenders v. 2 attackers.
• Coach or additional player serves
• Attackers try to win and score
• Defender try to win and clear high and wide on first touch in the air
• 1pt for goal
• 1pt for foot clear
• 3pts for head clear
  

Coaching Points:

• Keep both feet on ground.
• Get feet set, move back and head through the ball.
• Get arms up and use to propel weight forward.
• Get under the ball and strike upward as contact is made

4v4 + 2N (wingers)

• Play in a 30x20.
• The gave if four versus four.
• Nuetrals can run lines and pick up to throw
• Two points for a header.
  
  Progress to:
• No neutrals and extra points for any volley, extra points for back volley, etc.
• Look for optimal scoring and clearing.
• Do not force headers, but encourage them when the opportunity is there.

Coaching Points

• Look to makes clears defensively high and wide
• Is the body positioned right before the serve?
• Is the player balanced properly to properly strike the ball?