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Attacking Header Finishing: Shadow Pressure
Score with the head from a cross
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Finishing
Crossing
Premium
Attacking Header Finishing: Shadow Pressure is a 14-minute heading drill for 4-16 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
Full Squad
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Goals Needed
Opposed
Under Pressure
Game Realistic
Duration
14 min
Players
4-16
Pitch size
Penalty area plus flanks
Ability levels
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Pitch diagram
Attacking Header Finishing: Shadow Pressure — 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. A shadow defender applies half pressure and can win the ball only after the first touch.
- Cones mark the area
- Full goal
- GK = goalkeeper
- Dashed lines = wide crossing channels
- Ball
- 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.
- 4A shadow defender applies half pressure and can win the ball only after the first touch.
Coaching points
- -Attack the ball, do not wait for it
- -Head down and across the keeper
- -Use the arms to create separation legally
- -Take the touch away from pressure
- -Protect the ball with the far foot and body
Common mistakes
- -Jumping too early
- -Heading up over the bar
- -Running in a straight line and being marked