Ever wondered the effectiveness of using the head to readdress the ball while it is still in the air? In youth soccer drills, this exercise in no way hurts the player provided it is learnt properly.
In case your players have not performed this skill of heading before, start teaching them by using a deflated ball. Let some air out of the ball so that it becomes soft and easy to handle. When it comes to kids soccer drills, like always, begin with the basics of heading, some of which I’ll be happy to share with you.
Teach the players to move along the ball in such a way that their body comes directly in front of the ball when they get in contact with it. The players must keep their eyes fixed the ball all the way through, till the time it comes into contact with their forehead.
Make the players aware of the fact that it is of utmost importance for them to keep their eyes open and on the ball when it comes to or goes away from them. If they close their eyes, they’ll get hurt. In youth soccer practice, players should be taught to strike the ball with the top-front area of the forehead instead of the temples or crown of the head.
Most of the youth soccer drills highlight the movement required to head the ball properly. Two of the drills have been explained below for a better understand of yours.
Sitting and Knees: This youth soccer coaching drill involves just 2 players and a ball. One player needs to sit on the ground with the legs stretched out in the front. The other player should stand directly in front of the 1st and throw the ball at a very low level towards him or her. The idea is to throw the ball short so that the one heading it has to move forward to strike the ball.
Repeat this activity with one player positioned with both knees on the ground. Then, the player will have to attack forward to hit the ball. This drill is useful in teaching the players to use their head in guiding the ball.
Head out of Hands: You will need cones and a ball for each player in this drill. The players need to hold the ball with their hands and then knock it off by heading it. They should be instructed to move their head to the ball and then the ball to their head.
Use of cones can help in teaching them the skill of heading to a specific location. The players learn proper handling techniques and accuracy for using the head to redirect the ball.
So this is it; using these youth soccer drills, your players will get confident in heading the ball and competing without getting hurt. There is no limit to the amount of information and knowledge available in context of the heading skill and you can subscribe to our youth soccer coaching community to let this knowledge help you too.
Andre Botelho is the author of “The Expert Youth Soccer Coaching Guide” and he’s a recognized expert in the subject of youth soccer coaching. Learn how to explode your players’ skills and make coaching sessions fun in less than 29 days! Download your free pdf guide at: Soccer Practice.
Tags: kids soccer drills, youth soccer coaching, youth soccer drills, youth soccer practice