Clear and Reset

Objective

• -Clear a high ball with distance and direction
• -Set the body side-on before contact
• -Recover quickly after the header

Setup

1. 1Use a rectangle with a safe landing space in the middle.
2. 2Place one server on the edge with balls ready.
3. 3Pairs of defenders start in the box facing the server.

How to play

1. 1The server throws or chips a ball into the box.
2. 2The defender moves, jumps and heads it away to a side cone target.
3. 3After landing, the defender drops back to a reset cone.
4. 4The server sends the next ball from a different angle.
5. 5Work for short sets so quality stays high.

Progressions

• +Two-Touch Limit: drop to one touch in the central area
• +Weak Foot Only: add a defender to raise the pressure
• +Tempo Clock: cut the clock to four seconds
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Two-Touch Limit: allow three touches while the picture is learned
• -Weak Foot Only: static, unopposed reps before adding movement
• -Tempo Clock: extend the clock to ten seconds
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Two-Touch Limit — Players are limited to two touches — one to control, one to release.
• -Weak Foot Only — Every touch, pass and finish must be with the weaker foot.
• -Tempo Clock — The ball must reach the end action inside six seconds or the rep restarts.
• -Scan and Cue — The coach shows a colour or number and the receiver must call it before their first touch.
• -Shadow Pressure — A shadow defender applies half pressure and can win the ball only after the first touch.
• -Score Challenge — Run it as a timed competition — pairs or teams count successful reps and compare scores.
• -1-to-1 Session — Run as an individual session: coach serves, one player works through the reps with rest built in.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Heading backwards into danger
• -Jumping off one leg with no balance
• -Clearing straight back to the server