Finishing Defensive Heading Clear

Objective

• -Clear the ball with height, distance and width
• -Attack the ball rather than waiting for it
• -Follow age-appropriate heading guidance on volume

Setup

1. 1A defensive zone in front of goal with a serving cone 12 yards away in a 30 x 24 yards area.
2. 2Set a goal at the end of the area with a keeper or a target zone if no keeper is available.
3. 3Soft, correctly inflated balls only — keep total headers low.

How to play

1. 1Server throws the ball into the zone for the defender to clear.
2. 2The defender heads for height and distance towards a wide target cone.
3. 3Limit each player to a small number of headers per session.
4. 4Every sequence starts with a pass out and ends with a strike on goal.
5. 5Goals score one, first-time finishes score two, and rebounds must be followed in.

Progressions

• +Cap the sequence at one touch before the strike
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Remove the keeper and finish into a wide target goal
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Coach can throw in a second ball for an instant rebound finish
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Backing away from the ball
• -Too many repetitions in one session
• -Rushing the shot and leaning back over the ball