Free Soccer Drills:3 Sure-fire Tips To Head The Ball

Free soccer drills

So you want to control the ball either to shoot or to pass, then what you must master is the free soccer drills. 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? Two important questions are 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.

One classical example is, Players hit the ball with the downward motion of the forehead when they want to hit the ball to the ground. The distance the ball travels after contact and the force that is applied when hit are directly proportional.

The most suitable heading techniques, during soccer practice, are determined by the position of the ball and the position of the player with respect to each other. For example, players in the defensive third generally head the ball high and wide , away from the goal.

Soccer Drills

Contrarily, the midfield players head the ball to the attacking players with more accuracy.

To head the ball, the players should overcome the fear of being hit by the ball in the face. 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. When the players have proper balance of the lower body, they concentrate on the action of the upper body.

Players move onto the next level of hitting the ball in the standing position, when they are comfortable striking the ball with their heads. Soccer coaching makes the players understand the vital contribution of the lower body in heading.

The next thing the players do is tapping the ball with the other player , first in a fixed position then in motion. When the coach feels that the players are confident, the players are encouraged to jump and then head the ball with a one-foot take off. Heading drills with a real game-like environment challenge the players.

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. Without the ball, the players gain confidence in their moving skills. When the players demonstrate competence with movement, they can practice with the ball.

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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: How to coach soccer.