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.

Subscribe, like, share, and follow me on the below addresses because it truly does motivate me to make more post and better videos. Please comment what you want to see next and as always Train Hard.

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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.

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.

Myths About Soccer Training #2

Myths about physical
development in youth soccer

In the first post , we touched on the notion that all youth soccer players should play multiple sports to avoid injury, increase athleticism, and prevent “burn out”.

Myth #2 – Speed is purely

genetic and cannot be coached.

Speed training, in soccer, is

developed through endless

sprints with little rest, just like

the game is played.

Speed training can definitely be taught into the game of soccer should be designed for developing players, young and old. In fact, just like any skill on the ball, speed is a complex neuromuscular pattern and needs to be taught consistently, for effective results to occur. I believe that the more important conversation and questions are as follows:
1. What does speed training for soccer look like?
2. Are certain ages (biological) more susceptible to speed development? 3. Can speed training be added into practice?

What does speed training for soccer

look like?

There is much research about the specific demands of the game and how many sprints take place, on average, within a match. Most research states that, within a 90 minute match, players run upwards of ~6 miles and make an estimated 19 high speed sprints (straight) per game with an average duration of 2 seconds, each. We should also include the fact that players are performing anywhere from 700-900 different changes of direction within each game, and speed does not just include the work performed in straight sprinting. Lastly, It is worth mentioning that statistically, the game is played at a much higher speed than even 10 years ago. In professional soccer, the number of sprints and high intensity activity per game has doubled, since 2002. Not only is the ball moving faster, but the players are as well, so speed becomes a very critical portion of youth soccer development. So with all of this being said, how should speed training be conducted for soccer athletes? Even though the majority of runs, within a soccer match, are executed at less than 100% speed (due to energy demands), the ability to increase the overall speed of the player enables the lower speeds to become faster. Thus, in order for your training to become effective speed training, the drills must be conducted at 100-110% of maximum velocity for effective change. You must teach your body to become fast. If you train speed at 80%, then your body only knows 80% to be its highest speed potential. **Yes, it does exist to train above 100% max velocity, through a number of ways that may be discussed in another post.

Lastly, but most importantly, the sprint training, just like any other skill, must have clear and concise coaching objectives for effective change to take place. The normal youth soccer player, is extremely inefficient and ineffective in their technical running form. Quick changes made by simple cues, will give an immediate progression of speed ability. Do not let your players add volume onto dysfunction. If the player is running incorrectly, the issue will only continue until changed, therefore the progression for speed will be much less effective. Here are some simple cues for linear speed training (cues for change of direction and quickness are different): Arms must work from chest to clear the hips The foot must make ground contact underneath the hip to push backwards The player’s posture must be such, that the hips extend forward, generating efficient acceleration

Are certain ages more susceptible to

speed development?

The answer to this question is, yes, but that does not mean that speed training should be ignored outside of these ages. Biological age is different from chronological age, in that the individual body grows at very different speeds. You can look at several 13 year old boys and girls in a line and see that one player may be much more physically developed then the others. This means that the bodies ability to train and develop certain skill sets are much different, due to the integrity of the skeletal, neuromuscular, and cardiovascular systems. The concept of biological vs. chronological age is very important for physical development of players. Speed development is best trained at two separate times of biological development:
Females Speed 1 = at 6 to 9 years old.
Females Speed 2 = typically around 11-13 years old.
Males Speed 1 = typically around 7 to 9 years old.
Males Speed 2 = typically around 13-16 years old.

Can speed training be added into

practice?

Although there are few different types of training that will increase speed, within a soccer player, a large majority of these training modalities can be done on field within a practice. We have already discussed recommended intensity, duration, and volume of runs for speed, but another important aspect of speed development is strength training. Common sense will tell you that the more fit and strong a player is, the faster they will become. Research shows that the more a player can squat, the faster they are within their acceleration sprints of 0-10yds. We will be touching base on appropriate strength and fitness training in later posts, but I would like to add simple guidelines to speed work within training. All speed training should be performed at the beginning of the session, just after the players are warmed up. Have a technical objective within the speed drills performed that aligns with your objectives for the rest of the practice. Make sure that these drills are performed with quality technique to create good habits. Plyometric and strength training can be performed on field, but should be done intelligently, at the correct volumes and ages. Make sure that players of all ages (even 7-8 years old) are going through age specific strength training, in order to increase speed potential and decrease injuries.

[Top Best] Soccer Improvement Drills #2

Want to know the best drills for improvement? Here is a video featuring a drill that has helped me a lot in the past. This drill need to be done at speed. You can do the easiest drills but doing them at pro speed is what makes it hard. So here take a look at this ----------->

Guys do me a favor go here---> http://youtu.be/CWLOrq5dD_A ,  and please like and subscribe on YouTube cause it really will help expand my drills with others.

Subscribe, like, share, and follow me on the below addresses because it truly does motivate me to make more post and better videos. Please comment what you want to see next and as always Train Hard.

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