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header DRILLS
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1-2 and cross

Set up as shown. Player 1 starts with the ball in the middle of the field and plays a 1-2 pass with player 2 before passing out wide to player 3. At this point, players 1 and 2 run towards the penalty area, ready to receive a cross, while one of the defenders goes out wide to put pressure on the crosser. Player 3 will cross the ball into the box where players 1 and 2 will try to beat the defender to it and score.

Crossing and Finishing

Always Moving Goal

Divide players into 2 teams of 6. Take 2 players from each team and have them hold a shirt between them to form a floating goal. The remaining 8 players play 4 v 4. 2 balls in play at once. The object of the game is to score in your teams goal as the floaters move around the area trying to get close to the ball. A goal is scored by a pass, header or shot in the goal. Players can score on both sides of the goal. Develop to using only one ball. Develop to 2 touch only.

Possession

Attacking header

Both players start on their knees with one player feeding an accurate throw for the other player to attack. It is best to begin practising this drill on knees and progress to the standing up position when players feel more confident.

Heading

Attacking heading

One feeder throws the ball up for the other player to try and head, back between the feeder's legs. The feeder needs to stand with their feet apart and react quickly to the return header. The heading player should keep their feet moving, being ready at all times to head the ball back with power.

Heading

Attacking the Crossed Ball

Organize groups of 6. Station goalkeepers in a goal at each end line. Place 2 players inside the area and 2 wide players outside the area. Goalkeepers should have a supply of balls. Repeat in another area for a total of 12 players. White goalkeeper distributes the ball to player white 1, who advances the ball up the touchline with his first touch and crosses the ball to player white 2 with his second touch. Keepers must stay on their line throughout the practice. Repeat in the opposite direction from red goalkeeper to red player 1 and red player 2. The wide player should attempt to vary his crosses to near, middle and far post positions.

Crossing and Finishing

Early Cross

Set out 5 x 15 yard channels in each corner of the area as shown in the diagram. Station one player in each channel. Play 2 v 2 in central area. The goalkeeper serves the ball to one of his two teammates in the central area. The goal is to get the ball to either of your teams players stationed in a channel. This player delivers a crossed ball into the attacking area. The two attacking players stagger their runs into the near post, mid-goal and far post areas. Finish with a shot or header on goal.Progression: When the wide player gets the ball in the channel the opposing wide player on his side of the field may run into his area to challenge the cross.

Crossing and Finishing

Old Trafford

Players must listen and respond to the coaches commands. If the coach says North Stand the players must dribble to that line, likewise if the coach says South Stand the players run to that end. Below are some commands you could use.1. The Boss is here - Players stand to attention and salute.2. The trainer is here - Players fall to the ground and grab their knees and make lots of noise.3. Diving headers - Players fall to the ground, face down with forehead on the ball.

Dribbling

Pass Wide, Cross and Attacking Header

Players line up in 3 queues, with the ball starting with player 1. Player 1 makes a 1-2 pass with player 2 before passing the ball down the line for player 3 to run onto. Player 3 times their run to meet the pass and gets the ball under control before swinging a cross into the box for the players 1 and 2 to run onto and head into the goal.

Crossing and Finishing

The Dog Pound

Players work in the square and they lose a life if: They are dribbling too slowly, if they dribble outside the square or if they do not stop on your command. Players can also gain lives if they can perform the above well. Upon hearing the coach's command players must stop and perform certain skills. If a player loses all their lives they can either do a forfeit (press ups or running a lap of the grid) or be sent to the 'dog pound' (see video).

Dribbling

World Cup Headers

Groups of 4 players are paired and stationed on the sides of the area as shown in the diagram. Each team takes on the identity of a World Cup Team. The object of the game is to head the ball past the opposing team and over the opposing goal line. The player in possession serves the ball to his teammate to head towards the opposing goal line. The defending team must attempt to stop the ball from crossing their end line without using their hands. Once the ball has been stopped, the receiving player picks the ball up and serves the ball to his partner to repeat in the opposite direction. If a team heads a ball straight back and scores, the team gets 2 points.

Heading

Attacking header Heading - Foo...

Both players start on their knees with one player feeding an accurate throw for the other player to attack. It is best to begin practising this drill on knees and progress to the standing up position when players feel more confident.

General

Football Header- Leading with ...

In pairs, one player with a football feeding and one with a bat in their stance. Feeder to throw the ball out slightly in front of the batter and high enough for them to header it. Batter to return the ball with a header, with the head leading the player should be automatically stepping into the header.

General

10 Headers Heading - Football ...

Standing in pairs opposite each other the feeder throws the ball for their partner. The receiving player then heads the ball back into the feeder's hands.

General

Defensive Header - On the move...

One player throws the ball to the other player's head. The throw should be slightly in front of the heading player so that they need to meet the ball in the air. The returning header should also be slightly long, meaning the catching player needs to back track slightly in order to catch the ball.

General

Attacking, jumping header Head...

A progression from the attacking header drill. The jump adds extra power and purchase to the header and means the player can meet the ball in the air earlier that if they didn't jump.

General

Pass Wide, Cross and Attacking...

Players line up in 3 queues, with the ball starting with player 1. Player 1 makes a 1-2 pass with player 2 before passing the ball down the line for player 3 to run onto. Player 3 times their run to meet the pass and gets the ball under control before swinging a cross into the box for the players 1 and 2 to run onto and head into the goal.

General

Headers and Volleys Shooting -...

The first attacking player runs into the box, towards the penalty spot. As the attacker makes their run the feeder throws the ball in for a volley or header.

General

Point Blank Heading Heading - ...

Players 1, 3 and 5 are feeding the ball towards the 6 yard box. Players 2, 4 and 6 take turns to either head or volley towards goal. Once players have either fed, or shot they swap to the other side.

General

Heading Variations Heading - F...

Working in pairs one player feeds whilst the other player is the returning player who heads the ball back to the feeder's hands. However, the returning player must have their wits about them as they need to listen out to the feeder's call. The feeder has three calls - Feet, attacking and defensive. Depending on the call the heading player must perform a different sort of header.

General

World Cup Headers Heading - Fo...

Groups of 4 players are paired and stationed on the sides of the area as shown in the diagram. Each team takes on the identity of a World Cup Team. The object of the game is to head the ball past the opposing team and over the opposing goal line. The player in possession serves the ball to his teammate to head towards the opposing goal line. The defending team must attempt to stop the ball from crossing their end line without using their hands. Once the ball has been stopped, the receiving player picks the ball up and serves the ball to his partner to repeat in the opposite direction. If a team heads a ball straight back and scores, the team gets 2 points.

General

Triangle Conditioning - Header...

Set up a triangle as shown.3 players on the outside have a ball each and the player in the middle without a ball.Player in the middle receives a serve from one player on the outside and heads it back to them.He/she then leaves the vicinity of the triangle before coming back and and receiving from another player.

General

Attacking heading with goalkee...

Group in pairs. 1 ball per pair. Repeat in 5 other areas for a total of 12 players. The goalkeeper serves the ball underhand and with both hands in front of the player. The player runs in and heads the ball towards the goal. He should look up and head the ball downwards and towards the corners. Rotate positions.Serve the ball high or low to encourage the player to dive or leap to meet the ball.

General

Heading unopposed Heading - Fo...

Objective: To get a basic understanding of heading the ball.Detail:Players work in pairs to begin with, so 8 x 2.I player acts as a server, whilst the other player heads the ball back.To progress, players head the ball to their partner and run around them and back to original position.

General

Heading - Stage 5 Heading - Fo...

1 ball between two players. One player feeds the ball, throwing a looping throw for them to head. The other player catches the ball just in front of their forehead as they are about to head the ball, bending their knees slightly as they do before throwing the ball back.

General

Heading - Stage 3 Heading - Fo...

One ball per player. Players hold the ball at shoulder height and then gently throw it just above their foreheads two mini headers in a row. Players then catch the ball above their heads and repeat.

General

Heading Game Heading - Footbal...

Players are split into two teams and line up behind the red cone at their end. One blue player starts in the middle between the two middle cones. They are the goalkeeper.To start the drill the coach feeds a lofted throw to the red player to advance onto and try to head between the cones. The blue keeper tries to stop the ball and can use any part of their body to do so.After they have headed the ball the goalkeeping player joins the back of the opposite line and the red player (who just had the attacking header) becomes the new keeper between the cones.

General

Heading in pairs Technique vid...

two players tryto head the ball to each other as may times as possible.

General

Heading on the move Technique ...

1 ball between two players. One player feeds and catches the ball, while the other player heads the ball back to the player throwing. The player must head the ball back to the feeder's hands. However, both players should be moving at all times - firstly the feeder should walk forwards, but when they reach the baseline players change direction.

General

Defensive Header - 3 Player Re...

Defensive header relay. 3 players with one ball. Front player of the 2 players throws up the ball to the heading player, after the player throws the ball he has to try and close down the heading player. The player heading the ball has to head the ball over the approaching player to the 3rd player waiting to catch the ball.

General

Always Moving Goal Possession ...

Divide players into 2 teams of 6. Take 2 players from each team and have them hold a shirt between them to form a floating goal. The remaining 8 players play 4 v 4. 2 balls in play at once.The object of the game is to score in your teams goal as the floaters move around the area trying to get close to the ball. A goal is scored by a pass, header or shot in the goal. Players can score on both sides of the goal.Develop to using only one ball.Develop to 2 touch only.

General

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header DRILL CATEGORIES
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Heading Drills
Heading Drills
header SESSIONS
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Attacking Headers in the 16 Yard Box

You don't need to be Peter Crouch to score from corners. Work on scoring from wide angles with this attacking headers session

Crossing & Finishing

Exploit the flanks and get your wide players whipping balls into the danger areas for your forwards to put away. Work on the delivery into the box and the forwards movements to anticipate and reach the cross.

Finding Space and Finishing inside the Box

Use this session to teach players to check out to create the extra yard. This session encourages players to be creative and use a change of direction

Crossing and Finishing - Attacking Confidence Session

Let's get your players making effective crosses and attacking them inside the box to power home the attacking header!

Heading Confidence - Part I

Starting in pairs in this session we work on Heading Confidence, Accuracy and Hand-Eye coordination required for throw ins

Heading Confidence - Part II

In part two we up the ante, by building some variety into your players' technique, working on heading control and power!

Position Specific Crossing

Improve your team's crossing game - From defensive clearances to scoring goals - working on all positions from defence to attack!

Developing Heading Power, Confidence and Accuracy

In defence or up front, make sure all your players want to use their heads in their next game - to clear their lines and beat the keeper!

Heading | Football Lesson Plan...

Heading the ball is a skill that, despite its benefits, manay amateur and young players shy away from. Develop the correct technique and break down any stigma that is attached with it. You’ll soon see your player flourish into dominant players in the air.
header ANSWERS
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Basic drills for passing and control?

im taking a coaching session and cant seem to come up with any decent basic drills for passing and controlling could anyone give me an idea

Archived User Coach

Drills for 4 and 5 year olds

Hi all, I've just started coaching a soccer team of 4 and 5 year olds and would like to discuss with my fellow coaches any drills which you have found to be safe, fun and valuable to the younger age group. I have my level 1 course under my belt and have difficulty in applying what I've learnt to the small kids. They get bored very quickly and are only interested in playing a match at the end of the session. They have no interest in passing the ball or shooting at goal whilst doing drills. Running with the ball is no problem as they are keeping active and all have a ball at their feet. As soon as they line up or have to share a ball, there are problems. I have a variety of drills which I run through with them, traffic lights, robin hood, alamo, sharks and fishes to name a few with variations of each but I crave more as everywhere I search caters for U6 upwards. I coach an U8 side midweek and have no problem with these lads as they are that bit older and have a greater level of concentration. (not by much mind). So I'm asking for advice from anyone who has coached 4 and 5 YOs and would like to know what has worked for you. PM replies welcome.  Marc

Archived User Coach

How to defend high airballs? For u-17?

Hello coach, My question is - How to defend high airballs? Actully we prefer to play small passes and ground balls more. So we face problems with airballs. Teams here play more airballs. We win , but feel the pressure of the airball situation. Kindly suggest some drills for the same please.Thankingyou.

Archived User Coach

A good drill for corners

What is a good drill to teach kids to mark up in the box when on the recieiving end of a corner. And how to get hem to use there head a lot more Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Brandon Walker Coach, Australia

Touch

I am looking for a session or drills that improve players first touch. Our biggest issues are First Touch so we need to work on this, another issue is the 'second ball' we always win the first header but never get to the second ball quick enough so any help with these issuse would be great!

Coach, England

heading

how can i improve my heading

Lewis Gorst Coach, United Kingdom

how could we make it harder

what are the teaching points and how can we make it harder for the player

Harry Coach, England

Heading practice for U11s - li...

U11's. I want to practice heading but not with a normal match ball. Is there a light weight alternative I could use. Don't really want to use flyaways I am hoping they is something similar with a bit more weight. CheersRob Asked using Sportplan on Mobile

Archived User Coach

How to train with intensity? |...

I coach a school girls 1st football team. In terms of having training intensity as we head into championship round, is there any drills or advice you can give me for ideas? I tell them to train during a drill like it's a game but think they need some other form to replicate an intense environment.

benjamin frean Coach, New Zealand

Disciplining for misbehaviour ...

Disciplining for misbehaviour? 8-11 year olds, they dont really get bored because i know that sometimes that can be the cause. How or what can i apply a bit of strictness into the team.

Archived User Coach

Drills for 4 and 5 year olds |...

Hi all, I've just started coaching a soccer team of 4 and 5 year olds and would like to discuss with my fellow coaches any drills which you have found to be safe, fun and valuable to the younger age group. I have my level 1 course under my belt and have difficulty in applying what I've learnt to the small kids. They get bored very quickly and are only interested in playing a match at the end of the session. They have no interest in passing the ball or shooting at goal whilst doing drills. Running with the ball is no problem as they are keeping active and all have a ball at their feet. As soon as they line up or have to share a ball, there are problems. I have a variety of drills which I run through with them, traffic lights, robin hood, alamo, sharks and fishes to name a few with variations of each but I crave more as everywhere I search caters for U6 upwards. I coach an U8 side midweek and have no problem with these lads as they are that bit older and have a greater level of concentration. (not by much mind). So I'm asking for advice from anyone who has coached 4 and 5 YOs and would like to know what has worked for you. PM replies welcome.  Marc

Archived User Coach

A good drill for corners | Spo...

What is a good drill to teach kids to mark up in the box when on the recieiving end of a corner. And how to get hem to use there head a lot more Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Brandon Walker Coach, Australia
header COMMUNITY DRILLS
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Attacking Corner #3

Short PassingAutosave 7247490 2

Autosave 97997712

Autosave 96405386

Warm up

Scoring Headers

Autosave 96894604

Autosave 77928860

Cut and Cross (15 min)

Autosave 8189721

Rotation x 3 -

Touch off Pass wide to Goal Square Cross

Three player combinations with two ball

3 cone passing

Shooting & Conditioning Drill

Skills drill

conditioned game with header

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