CONTROL SHOOTING PASSING DRIBBLING TURNING HEADING CREATE SPACE INDIVIDUAL DEFENDING SUPPORT PLAY GOALKEEPING CROSSING TACKLING THE THROW IN ATTACKING SET PLAYS DEFENDING SET PLAYS THE FREE KICK

HEADING

Please select a subsection from the topics below :

A basic introduction    Progression   Progression II    Progression III   Progression IV    Going for accuracy    Against opposition    Progression (defence)    Control    Heading for Goal    Practices for Heading    Practice for Heading II    Conditioned Games (Control)    Attack v Defence   Conditioned Games     Heading for Distance   Skilled Touches (Heading)

ATTACK V DEFENCE

To bring practice to match conditions players need to face physical contact from opponents.

They also have to manoeuvre around to get into the right positions, and then finally head the ball in the direction they intend.

Diagram 1

In this practice (diagram 1) there are 5 attackers (A) against 4 defenders (B) plus goalkeeper (G)

(A1) has possession of the ball in the right flank attacking towards (D4)

(A2) tries to assist by making a 2 v 1 situation against (D4) so as to work an opening for a cross from the right into the danger area

It is then up to (A3), (A4) and (A5) to move towards the six yard box to try and get a header at goal, with (D1), (D2) and (D3) at the same time working to stay goal-side of the attackers and then get in a defence (clearing) header when (A1) or (A2) crosses the ball.

THE QUALITY OF CROSS BALL IS ESSENTIAL, AND COACHES SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE CENTRES FROM THE FLANK ARE "HUNG UP" SO THAT THERE IS GENUINE COMPETITION FOR THE BALL BETWEEN ATTACKERS AND DEFENDERS.

Should any defender win the ball then they should be given a target for any intended clearance. So 2 players (T1) and (T2) are positioned just behind the centre circle for defenders to try and find with accurate clearances.

Diagram 2

In diagram 2, (A2) has put (A1) in possession on the goal line, so (D1), (D2) and (D3) have adjusted accordingly, with (A3), (A4) and (A5) waiting to move in for the header at goal. (A2) can also move forward if required.

Should goalkeeper (G) or any defender get the ball, target players (T1) and (T2) can move about to make themselves available for a pass.

COACHES SHOULD ENSURE DEFENDERS DO HAVE A PROPER TARGET T1 AND T2 SHOULD WORK TO FIND SPACE.

Diagram 3

In diagram (3), (T1), (T2), (T3) become servers as well as target players for defenders winning the ball.

In this practice 3 defenders (D) marking 4 attackers (A) across the edge of the penalty area.

(T's) serve lofting the ball so there is a competition for the first header initially, as (A's) (with their backs to goal) contend with (D's) who are trying to win the first header - and then get the ball back to one of the (T's)

(A's) are trying to score and once the serve has gone then normal football rules apply until the ball goes dead.