Nod and Move

Objective

• -Meet the ball with the forehead
• -Time the jump from a set start
• -Direct the header into space

Setup

1. 1Mark out a 20 x 20 yard square with cones.
2. 2Split players into pairs with one ball per pair.
3. 3Pairs work 4 yards apart to start.

How to play

1. 1One player tosses the ball by hand to head height.
2. 2The other player attacks the ball and heads it back into the hands.
3. 3After three reps, both players shuffle two steps wider and repeat.
4. 4Coach asks players to turn their neck firm and use the top half of the forehead.
5. 5Rotate the feeder and the header every few minutes.

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

• -Closing eyes at contact
• -Flicking the ball with the top of the head
• -Leaning back and sending it high