Ever wondered the effectiveness of using the head to readdress the ball while it is still in the air? Doing this skill in youth soccer drills is particularly safe when it is carried out with care and caution.
Before you begin with training the players in the skill of heading, deflate the ball a bit especially when they are doing it the first time. Let some air out of the ball so that it becomes soft and easy to handle. Including heading skill in the kids soccer drills requires you to first teach them the basics of this skill before starting with the practice.
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. They should keep their eyes on the ball all the way in, and continue watching it as it strikes 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. They can be seriously hurt of they don’t keep their eyes open. 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.
A large number of youth soccer drills call attention to the movement involved in correctly handling the ball. Two of the drills have been explained below for a better understand of yours.
Sitting and Knees: Performing this drill in youth soccer coaching requires two players and one ball. One player should ssit on the ground and have their legs stretched out in the front. The second player should stand right in front of the second guy and pass the ball very low towards the other player. The idea is to throw the ball short so that the one heading it has to move forward to strike the ball.
Keep doing this activity with a player positioned with both knees on the ground. Here, the player will have to lunge forward to strike the ball. This drill is useful in teaching the players to use their head in guiding the ball.
Head out of Hands: This drill requires cones and one ball for each player. This drill requires the players to hold the ball with their hands and the throw it off by heading it. They should be instructed to move their head to the ball and then the ball to their head.
When the cones are used, the kids learn to head the ball to a particular location. The players learn the techniques to head the ball accurately and using their head.
So there you have it; youth soccer drills to develop the skill of heading amongst the players and enable them to compete in the game without the fear of 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.
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