subject: Free Soccer Drills: How To Head The Ball Properly [print this page] Controlling the ball either to shoot or to pass through head is not very difficult to achieve with free Soccer drills. Various kinds of soccer exercises guarantee proper execution of this skill.
The question is where the player should apply the force on the ball. Which part of the head should be used to apply force and how much force should other parts generate? It is the intended direction or pathway of the ball that decides the answers to these questions.
For example, if players want to head the ball towards the ground, they'll strike the ball with the downward motion of the forehead. How far one wants to hit the ball decides the force at which the ball is stroked.
Soccer practice helps the player to decide the heading technique based on the position of the ball with respect to him. For example, players in the defensive third generally head the ball high and wide , away from the goal.
And the same differs for the midfield players for they head the ball accurately to the attacking players.
Players must lose the fear of being hit by the ball in the face, before they can head the ball. Free soccer drills use a sponge type ball to address this.
Beach balls which are slightly larger and lighter are used to reduce fear. To teach the heading progression, a Soccer coach should position the players on their knees to ensure proper balance of the lower body. Gaining balance from the lower part of the body helps the players to concentrate on the action of the upper body.
When the players are skilled enough in heading the ball in kneel down positions, they can move on to the next level heading in the standing position. Soccer coaching makes the players understand the vital contribution of the lower body in heading.
For the next step in the progression, partners toss the ball to each other while remaining stationery and then while in motion. As the players become more confident, have them jump and then head the ball with the help of a one-foot take off. Challenge them by offering heading drills with subtle and game-like defensive pressure.
One can never deny the fact that refining heading skills will add more structure to the game and will develop intentional play.
Do yourself a favor and incorporate free soccer drills that do not initially use a ball. Without the ball, the players gain confidence in their moving skills. Once they demonstrate competence with movement, add the ball to increase the challenge.
Should you consider this interesting and helpful, Why not subscribe to our youth soccer coaching community for articles, newsletters, videos because they will enhance your knowledge and coaching soccer to the kids will be a whole lot of fun.
