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Attacking Header Finishing: 1-to-1 Session
Score with the head from a cross
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Finishing
Crossing
Attacking Header Finishing: 1-to-1 Session is a 14-minute heading drill for 1-2 players, suitable for Under 12 to Adults at beginner, intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, full goals. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.
Back to drill libraryHeading
Finishing
Crossing
Skill Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
1-to-1
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Goals Needed
Individual Development
Small Group
Duration
14 min
Players
1-2
Pitch size
Penalty area plus flanks
Ability levels
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Pitch diagram
Attacking Header Finishing: 1-to-1 Session — Crossing and finishing — wide delivery into the box · Penalty area plus flanks
Step 1 of 4Crosser delivers, runner attacks near post or penalty spot to head at goal.
- 1. Crosser delivers, runner attacks near post or penalty spot to head at goal.
- 2. Alternate delivery sides.
- 3. Eight headers each.
- 4. Run as an individual session: coach serves, one player works through the reps with rest built in.
- Cones mark the area
- Full goal
- GK = goalkeeper
- Dashed lines = wide crossing channels
- Ball
- C = coach / server
- Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble
Objectives
- -Score with the head from a cross
- -Time the attacking run
- -Direct headers downwards
Setup
- 1Crossers on each flank with a supply of balls.
- 2Runners start at the edge of the box.
- 3Keeper in goal.
Coaching instructions
- 1Crosser delivers, runner attacks near post or penalty spot to head at goal.
- 2Alternate delivery sides.
- 3Eight headers each.
- 4Run as an individual session: coach serves, one player works through the reps with rest built in.
Coaching points
- -Attack the ball, do not wait for it
- -Head down and across the keeper
- -Use the arms to create separation legally
- -Detailed feedback after every rep
- -Quality of contact over volume
Common mistakes
- -Jumping too early
- -Heading up over the bar
- -Running in a straight line and being marked