The older you get – the more a soccer game is played above the ground instead of on the ground. Using your head to receive, pass, and shoot is as important as using your feet. However, most youth players are horrible at heading mainly because it’s practiced so infrequently. Unfortunately, repeated heading can cause health problems down the road.
Here are at least 2 ways to stay healthy while improving your heading technique.
1. Practice with a soft ball (e.g. balloon, beach or volley ball) and use a soft underhand toss.
2. Use proper heading technique – poor technique not only produces bad results but it can hurt too!
Here are 10 pointers on how to head a soccer ball.
1. Get into the line of the oncoming ball.
2. Keep knees bent with a staggered stance - weight on back foot.
3. Eyes open – Mouth closed.
4. Lower part of arms (elbows to fingers) are parallel to the ground for balance and thrusting power.
5. Strike the ball between the eyebrows and the hairline.
6. Punch the ball; don’t let the ball punch you.
7. Follow through at the target (forehead level – not bowed).
8. If necessary, use an arm or shoulder to protect yourself from an opponent.
9. Defensive Header – contact the lower half of the ball sending it upward.
10. Offensive Header – contact upper half of the ball sending it downward
Video Clips
Above - Abby Wambauch heads a ball off a corner kick serve from teammate Megan Rapinoe.
Now click here to get visual and verbal instruction from Abby on Pro Tips 4U.
Remember, good technique can give you an extra club "head" in your bag. Poor technique shown here - OUCH!!!
by Steve Houseman