| Drill 1 - Heading Reaction |
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Warm Up:
Refer to the “Warm Up” section for a variety of fun warm up activities for your team. Use a combination of exercises “with” and “without” the ball. Relate the warm up to the skill of the day. Be creative, energetic, and make the
warm-up a fun start to the practice session.
Exercise Objectives:
This practice is structured to improve the technical ability of "Heading” with an emphasis on "quick reaction". |
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Field Preparation
 Entire group of players
Area 20 x 20 yards
Supply of Balls |
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Coaching Pointers:
A group of players are positioned in a circle around the coach, using one ball. The coach serves a straight throw to the players in random order. As the coach serves the ball he shouts one of two commands "HEAD" or "CATCH".
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If the coach shouts, "HEAD" - the player must do the opposite and catch the ball.
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If the coach shouts, "CATCH" - the player must do the opposite and head the ball.
The player receives a goal for every successfully performed header or catch. If the player heads the ball it must be headed back to the coaches hands, if they catch the ball he must then throw it back to the coach.
A competition can also be played. When the player makes a mistake they are eliminated and sit on the ground.
The last player standing wins. |
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| Drill 2 - Heading for Accuracy |
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| Drill 3 - Heading Relay |
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Exercise Objectives:
This practice is structured to improve the technical ability of "Heading" the ball on the run. An emphasis is placed on "accuracy". |
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Field Preparation
Small group of players
Area 10 x 10 yards
Cones or Flag poles
Supply of Balls |
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Coaching Pointers:
In an area 10 yards x 10 yards, players alternate receiving the ball from the server. The receiving player must head the ball back to the server and only scores a point for each header played back to the servers hands. After each header the receiver must turn and join the end of the group.
The server must throw a high looped serve to the receiving player. The ball should be served approximately 5 yards. If the server throws the ball too far the receiving player will not come to meet the ball. With a correct serve the receiving player is always encouraged to attack the ball.
The coach should emphasize correct technique and slowly build up the tempo to game speed. Care must be taken to emphasize quality over speed. Create a competition between teams. Keep score and award points for the first team to reach 20 good headers or the team who can perform the most headers in one minute. |
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| Drill 4 - Heading Rotary Drill |
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Exercise Objectives:
This practice is structured to improve the technical ability of "heading” with an emphasis on "accuracy". |
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Field Preparation
8 players
Area 20 x 20 yards
Cones or Flag poles
Supply of Balls |
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Coaching Pointers:
Eight players are positioned in a grid 20 yards x 20 yards. One cone is placed in the center of the grid as a marker. Four players are positioned in the corners of the grid, each with a ball. Four players start from the center cone,
each facing one of the servers.
The players in the center of the grid receive a throw from the server and head the ball back to the server. They then must check back to the center cone and rotate to the next server on their right and repeat exercise.
The players repeat this practice for approximately 3 minutes as they rotate around the grid. Emphasis should be placed on the accuracy, heading the ball back to the servers hands. The header should be played back at the correct pace so the receiver can catch the ball with ease.
It is advised to have an extra ball at each cone to keep the tempo of the practice constant. A goal is scored for each successful header made. Each player should keep their own score. A team total can be recorded to challenge the next set of four players. |
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| Small-Sided Game (with goalkeepers) |
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Exercise Objectives:
Finish with small sided game 6 v 6, 7 v 7 (with Goalkeepers). The practice should be concluded with a small-sided game reinforcing the coaching points from your drills. |
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Field Preparation
Entire Group (split into two equal teams)
Area 40 x 60 yards
Use Small Goals, Cones or Flag poles
Supply of Balls
Colored Bibs |
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Coaching Pointers:
- Divide the players into two equal teams with goalkeepers.
- Each field should be approximately 40 yards x 60 yards.
- Use corner flags or cones as goals.
- Total time, 20-30 minutes.
- At the end of your session, review all coaching points made during the practice.
Record Score:
Team 1_________________ v Team 2 _________________
At the end of your session, review all coaching points made during the practice. |
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