Free Soccer Drills: 3 Ways To Head The Ball
Free soccer drills helps you to master the heading skill which comprises of controlling the ball either to shoot or to pass. Different kinds of soccer exercises helps in the proper execution of this skill.
The player should apply the force to what part of the ball? Both are equally important : Which part of the head applies force and What force do other parts produce. These are the questions the answers to which depend upon the intended direction or pathway of the ball.
Consider the case of hitting the ball towards the ground, where the thrust on the ball is generated from the forehead. How far one wants to hit the ball decides the force at which the ball is stroked.
In Soccer Practice, the position of the ball with respect the player decides the heading technique. For example, players in the defensive third generally head the ball high and wide , away from the goal.
Similarly, players in the midfield play the ball more precisely as they are often trying to head it to the attacking players.
The fear of being struck in the face by the ball should be won when it comes to heading the ball. And that’s why the free soccer drills uses a sponge type ball for teaching heading skills.
In some cases, it may become necessary to use a slightly larger and lighter ball like a beach ball, to reduce the fear. As a soccer coach, start teaching the heading progression by positioning players on their knees to ensure proper balance of the lower body. That allows the players to concentrate on the action of the upper body.
Once they start feeling comfortable striking the ball with their heads, they can move to a standing position. This part of the soccer coaching teaches the players about the contributions of lower body in the heading.
Next comes the tossing of the ball between the players in a stable standing position, and then comes the tossing 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. The players can also be challenged with heading drills in a game-like defensive pressurized environment.
Refining the heading skills will add more structure to the game and will develop intentional play.
Incorporating free soccer drills does a favor to you because they don’t use the ball initially. Moving skills of the players are improved without the ball and that increases their confidence. When the players are comfortable with the movement, challenge them with the ball to increase their skills.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andre Botelho is a recognized expert in youth soccer coaching. He influences well over 35,000 youth coaches each year with his unique coaching philosophy, and makes it really easy to explode your players’ skills and make training more fun in record time. To download your free youth soccer coaching guide, visit: Youth Soccer Coaching
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