Want to learn to head like Cristiano Ronaldo?

Football/Soccer Heading

Heading the ball is incredibly important whether you are a defender, forward, or center midfielder.

Heading is used to win possession of the ball during goal-kicks, to score, and to clear the ball out.

It should be clear:  to become a good soccer player, you need good heading ability. This guide will teach you how to head the ball well.

Overcoming Fear of Soccer Heading

Many youth soccer players have a fear of heading the ball.  This is only natural;humans have the tendency to cower away from objects coming at there head.

The best way to get over this is to attack the ball.  Lean back and smash the header.  If you use your fore-head it will not hurt.  When you keep heading the ball, your mind will adjust, and heading will become second-nature.

Whatever you do don’t close your eyes.  This can cause serious injury, and you will not head the ball efficiently.

Type of Soccer Headers

Attacking Soccer Header

This header is used to score goals.  Steps to execute:

1.Look at the ball.

Look at the ball through this entire process.  This allow you to perform a header more efficiently.

2.  Plant your feet.

This will give you the full power necessary to easily put the ball past the goalkeeper.

03.  Lean back.

When you lean back you are building momentum, much like you do when bringing your foot back to shoot.

4.  Jump (optional)

If the ball is too high for you, perform a jumping header.

5.  Move your head forward quickly.

The faster you head the ball, the more power you can generate.  When you head the ball, use your forehead.

Note: all other headers follow these basic principals.  When learning other types of headers in the guide, continue to do this.

Flick-on Soccer Header

The flick-on is where you pass the ball behind you using your head.  This is great for using on throw-ins and many other ways.  Steps:

1.  Let the ball pass over your head.

2.  Flick you head up.

If you do it correctly, the ball will hit the back of your head and go behind you.

Diving Soccer Header

The diving header is considered one of the greatest plays in soccer.  You will not use this often, but it is still good to know.  You never know what will come at you when the game is on the line.  Steps:

1.  Dive into the ball.

Your momentum will power the ball into the net.  Warning: make sure people aren’t going to kick you when you dive.

2.  Land on your arms.

The fall can hurt, and I recommend only doing a little in a training session.  A great way to train is to practice them on the beach.

Glancing Soccer Header

You can use this header to direct the soccer ball.  It is perfect for faking out the goalie.

1.  Look at the area of the ball like you would a shot.

Heading the right of the ball will move the ball to the left.  Heading it to the left will make the ball go right.

2. Flick you head in the direction you want the ball to go.

The ball will not have as much power, but it should easily fake out the goalie.  You can also use this to pass the ball to a teammate.

Defensive Soccer Header

The point of this header is to clear the ball out.  Use this header to send the ball high and as far away from the goal as you can.

1.  Look at the bottom of the ball

Hitting the bottom of the ball with your head will help send the ball upward.

2.  Head the ball

You should use the top of your forehead, and head the ball as hard as you can.  There should be no holding back on a defensive header.                                                                                                                                                                        As always Train Hard.

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Types of Soccer Passes

Types of Soccer Passes

Standard Pass

The standard pass should be performed using the inside of your foot.

Your place-foot and body should point at your target. You also should follow through towards your target.

This pass usually used in shorter distances when the area the ball travels through is clear of defenders. It’s the most common type of pass, so master it.

Air Pass

This pass is usually aimed straight at teammates and is used for longer passes and when there are defenders in the way of the pass. You can also use this pass to cross the ball.

You can use the inside of the foot or the laces. This pass should be firm, but not as strong as a shot.

Kick under the ball and follow through in an upward kicking motion. This will send the ball flying through the air.

Chipped Pass

This pass is often used to lead a teammate. It’s used to chip the ball over an opponent and into space.

This pass should be soft and have backspin.

To perform this pass, kick the grass under the ball and follow through slightly. This will produce a light, high pass with backspin.

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Types of Soccer Shots

If you watch professionals, you see that they don't just use one type of shot.  You will often see them bend the ball into the net, or chip the ball over the keeper.  If you look closer, you will see that the way pros strike the ball varies greatly.

Why do they use different types of soccer shots?

Different types of shots are used for different situations.  If you are one-on-one with the keeper, you wouldn't slam the ball into the upper ninety.  No, you would probably place the ball with the inside of your foot into the back of the net.

That's why it's so important to master many different types of shots along with improving your own standard shot (the one you use the most).

5 Types of Soccer Shots

Learn the 5 different types of soccer shots.  Master them, and take your shooting game to the next level.

Standard Shot

The standard shot is the one that you use the most.  Your standard shot can actually be another type of shot, but for most people it is coming at the ball from the side, and striking it with your laces.

Some people (like me) have a unique standard shot.  That is, it is a combination of a standard shot and straight shot.

It is important to constantly tweak this shot (make changes that improve it) to get the most out of it.

Straight Shot

The straight shot is great because:

• It is easier to keep low
• You don't need to strike the ball at an angle.

Think of the advantages of the second point.  In tight situations where you before would have to beat defender to get space to shoot, you can now fire off a shot.

This, along with the fact that straight shots are often low to the ground, makes for a vital shot to learn.

Inside Shot

When you kick the ball with the inside of your foot (like you would perform a pass), you are using an inside shot.  

This shot is great because of one thing:  accuracy.  You will find that many professionals use this shot on breakaways and other shots that are close to the goal.

Outside Shot

This shot is probably used the least often, but for players who are good at it, it can produce great results.  To perform this shot, slice the ball with the outside of your foot.

The benefit of this shot is that the ball can bend really well if you hit it right.

Toe Shot

Many players start out by kicking the ball with their toe.  They quickly are taught otherwise though, and this shot isn't really thought about.

I don't recommend using it as a standard shot, but when the ball is out of reach, and you need to fire off a quick shot, the toe shot is actually a great option.

Bending Shot

You need to use either the outside or inside of your foot to bend the ball.  So really it isn't its own unique shot, just a variation of other types of shots.

The benefit of bending the ball is you can shoot around defenders, and can confuse the goalie.  

Training Different Shots

Since you now know how to perform different types of shots, and know the power of them, I'm sure you are eager to get out on the pitch to apply what you learned. 

I recommend going the 80-20 approach.  Train your standard shot 80 percent of the time (or 8 out of 10 shots) and other shots 20 percent of the time (2 out of ten shots).

The Four Soccer Touches

Learning each type of soccer touch is vital to moving forward with ball control and dribbling.  A good dribbler knows when to cut outside or inside, roll the ball away from an opponent, or dribble quickly through open space.

The touches that you learn this article are the basis for ball control.  Work on these touches in every training session, daily if you can.  Through practice, you will improve your control over the ball.

Inside or Lace of Feet to Dribble?

Many players beginning to dribble and control the ball ask this question. 

Types of Soccer Touches

Lace

The lace touch is the touch that you will use the most when dribbling.  Using it moves the ball straight.  Players should use it when there is open space, and they want to dribble with speed.

To perform a lace touch, use the area around your shoe laces to chop the ball forward.  Touch the ball so that is stays close to you.

Inside

The inside of the foot is used to used to cut past players and to dribble forward while the body shields.  It can be used to fake a shot.

To perform an an inside-of-the-foot cut, use the inside of your foot and touch the side of the ball.  The ball should go across your body.  To dribble forward using the inside of the foot, (useful because you can shield while dribbling), turn your body towards the ball.  The leg farthest away from the body will dribble while the lead leg should take steps forward.

Outside

The outside touch is very quick, making it easy to quickly accelerate past a defender.  You can also use this touch to dribble forward quickly if you want to dribble towards the side.

To perform an outside cut (assuming with you’re using your right foot), use the inside of your foot to touch the left side of the ball.  You can touch more towards the middle if you want to move forward and to the side.

Sole

The sole can be used in many circumstances.  It can be used to beat defenders, turn, fake a pass, just naming some examples.  This touch is the hardest to learn for beginning players, but mastering it adds a whole new level to your control and dribbling.

To perform a sole touch, first put your foot lightly on the ball.  Now roll the ball in any direction you want.  Your other foot should hop slightly when you roll the ball.

The Aspects of Ball Control

Learning and mastering all of these touches is the key to great ball control.  You will find that once you master the touches,  building up to even the most advanced of soccer moves comes easily.

(READ) To Score Every Freekick!!!

Becoming good at free kicks can make you indispensable to your team, and is an easy way to score goals. Kicking the ball past the wall and past the keeper, isn't easy, but after following this guide and implementing its techniques, you will be able to do it.

How to Kick a Free Kick

Shooting a free kick into the net is incredibly satisfying, but it’s also hard. You need to learn proper technique if you want to become successful.

Shooting a free kick is more than just shooting technique. It also requires technique specifically for kicking a free kick.

There are four key steps that you have to perform:

1. Place the Ball

You can’t move the ball much, but you can set it down. Set it down so it is on a good part of the field if you can, not in dirt or uneven terrain.

2. Look

Look at the wall and look at the goalie. You should be thinking about where you want to place the ball, or where you want to cross the ball. Before you step back, decide where you will place the ball.

3. Step Back

Take a few steps back. Don’t take like 6 steps back. Just take two or three.

Take a deep breathe. It will help calm you.

Relax, tensing up can hurt your technique.

4. Look

Before you kick the ball, glance one more time at the position of the goalie and wall (and teammates if you’re looking to cross).

Then look at the ball, run forward and kick it.

Getting the Ball Past the Wall

The wall is your first obstacle. If you don’t get the ball past the wall, your free kicks will be unsuccessful. So how do you kick it past the wall? There are three ways:

Air

The most obvious and common route is to kick the ball above the wall.

To accomplish this, you should kick the ball in the lower portion.

Getting the ball in the air and over the wall is fairly easy, but you can’t kick the ball over the goal.

It takes practice to determine how high you should kick it (based on distance) and how you should do this. This is a skill that only comes with hours of practicing free kicks.

Ground

A cheeky way to beat the wall is to strike it on the ground. Oftentimes, the wall will jump, allowing the ball to go under them. You can get off a hard shot this way and the goalie won’t expect it.

This is something to experiment, but you shouldn't rely on it too much. If the other team predicts it, your free kick will be wasted.

Bend

Perhaps the best way, it to bend the ball around the wall.

If you bend the ball, you can avoid the wall entirely.

The key is to

1. Get the ball on goal
2. Put power on the kick

When you bend the ball, there is a real miss of missing to the right or left. Additionally, people tend to put less power on a bended shot (which can result in an easy save for the keeper).

Soccer Free Kick Tips

Relax

Many players get nervous and tense up during a free kick. This usually results in the ball hitting the wall or going over the goal. Relax, breath, and kick with confidence. You can do this.

Don’t Kick it Weak

I have seen some players chip the ball over the wall, allowing the goalkeeper to easily catch it. While its important to avoid kicking it over the goal, you still need to hit it with pace.

Take it With Confidence

Often, many players on the team want to take a free kick. If you know that you have a good free kick, don’t be afraid to step up and say “hey, I’m going to take it.” 

Soccer Forward (Striker) Tips

The forward (or striker) scores most of the goals. This player can be absolutely vital to the team because he receives the most chances close to the goal.

The forward usually plays defense only when the ball is in the opposite team’s defense half. He is the only player that can ball-watch while the ball is in his team’s defensive half. He should always be prepared to make a run though.

Aspects of Top Forwards

These traits make up a good forward. If you have them, consider becoming a forward. If you don’t have some of these traits, and you are a forward, work on them.

Speed

To be a successful forward, you need blazing fast speed. You will often receive balls over the heads of defenders that you must run on. You also will be making runs, beating players, and attempting to block passes. All of these things require speed.

Note that there are some forwards that aren't very fast. Most of the time these forwards play a supporting role to a fast forward. Still, the faster you are the better.

Shooting Ability

Shooting ability is what makes forwards like David Villa and Fernando Torres great. To be a forward, you need to master every shot. You should be able to shoot a bomb from far distance, straight kick when you don’t have space for an angle shot, and place the ball passed the goalkeeper. You should also focus on faking shots or shooting with defenders near you.

Dribbling Ability

You will have to beat players to get a shot off and dribble at speed to set off a break-away. You need to be comfortable dribbling with speed and beating players one versus one.

Ball Control

As a forward, you will receive balls in the air, balls on the ground, and through balls. You need to know how to effectively receive all of them.

Volleying Ability

As a forward, you will receive many crosses.  It is very important that you can volley the ball into the net.

Heading Ability

Again, you will receive crosses. You need to be able to use your body and win a header. You should know how to head the ball downward so it is harder to save and doesn't go over the goal.

[IMPORTANT] Soccer Forward Training Tips

Shoot

A forward’s primary job is to score. To score, you must shoot. This means shoot at every opportunity. Shoot from far away, shoot whenever you are in or near the box. If there isn’t a shot available make one.

Check and Shield

It’s bad practice for your team to always kick the ball over the defense. Sometimes, you want to check your shoulder for incoming defenders before receiving the ball. Once you receive it shield, and look to pass to someone on the wing.

This Tip Will Help You Score 2X MORE GOALS this season

Shooting While Running Technique

It is important that you have the soccer shooting technique exactly the same from a standstill except for these changes which you add if you are running:

1.  Place Foot Moved Up

When taking a shot normally, you should place your place foot even with the ball.  When you are running it is important that you place it in front of the ball.  Making this change alone, will make shooting while running much easier.

2.  Smaller Hop

When you are running, you don't want to lose any momentum that your speed brings.  Take a smaller hop, and then explode into the ball.

Stride to the Ball

Whenever I watch novice players attempt to shoot while running, I see the following things:

• Short stutter steps that greatly slow the player.
• Long strides that mess up the player.
• Normal running, but then changed stride length when the ball is near.

One thing is common with all these mistakes, the player is greatly slowed down.  What should take a few seconds can go on for 6 or 7 seconds.  This gives defenders and goalies much needed time to block the shot.

Learning to run naturally and strike a ball is hard, but very necessary to getting a good shot off. So please don't get discouraged or mad if you fail at first.

The only way you can improve this is by practicing.  Set aside 20 minutes or so in a training session, and just practice keeping stride length constant.  When you get better you can start increasing speed.

This is a frustrating skill to learn, but when you sprint past a defender and put the ball into the back of the net, you will be happy you know how to shoot while running.