Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U13 Scorpions Heading

Attacking Heading

Organization:

1. 30 x 30 yard area set up as shown

2. 10 players (2 attackers, 2 GK, 4 servers) set up as shown

3. 12 balls

Instructions:

1. The activity starts with one attacker moving around the cone and receiving a ball from server 1

2. The other attacker moves the opposite way and starts with server 3

3. After each serve the attackers move around the opposite side cone and then to the next server in number order

4. Rotate players after a receiving from all 4 servers

Coaching Points:

1. Bend run to opposite side from the direction the ball is coming

2. Assess the flight and attack down the line of the ball

3. Jump from one foot (if required) or step into the ball

4. Lock the neck

5. Eyes open

6. Contact Head – forehead above the eyebrow

7. Contact Ball – top

8. Arch the back and shoulders pointing at target

9. Thrust forward from the waist

Progressions:

1. P – Players play for a set time period and compete against each other (number of goals or headers on target)

2. P – Severs now cross the ball with their feet in from a deeper position

Attacking Heading

Organization:

1. 10 x 10 yard area, set up as shown

2. Players work in groups of 4

3. 4 goals

4. 1 ball

5. Extra balls located by each goal

Instructions:

1. The players serve the ball around the square attempting to score on the goal to their right

2. Each player keeps there own score and attempts to score as many goals as they can in a set time limit

3. Players are not permitted to use there hands to stop the ball

4. Encourage the players to serve the ball in front of the player attacking the ball to score

5. Rotate the direction of the serve on the next round

Coaching Points:

1. Lock the neck

2. Contact Head – forehead above the eyebrow

3. Contact Ball – top

4. Arch the back and shoulders pointing at target

5. Thrust forward from the waist

6. Objective is to head the ball down

Progressions:

1. P – Allow players to score in any goal

2. P – Allow players to use their hands to stop the ball

3. R – Allow players to serve the ball to themselves

Attacking Heading

Organization:

1. 40 x 35 yard area with two 40 x 5 yard areas on each side set up as shown

2. 12 players (2 teams of 4) set up as shown

3. 1 ball (Additional around the outside)

Instructions:

1. Teams score by heading ball into opponent’s goal

2. Players can dribble the ball into wide areas and be unopposed

3. Players can only be in wide areas for 2 seconds if not in possession of the ball

4. If ball leaves the area, game is restarted with kick-in on the sides and corners as normal

5. Play for 5 minutes then rotate teams

Coaching Points:

1. Read the flight of the ball

2. Time run onto the ball

3. Contact with forehead

4. Contact top of ball to head downwards

5. Direct the ball into corners or in between defenders

6. Attack the ball

Progressions:

1. P – Remove the wide areas

2. R – Use hands to move the ball around