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Attacking Header Finishing: Score Challenge
Score with the head from a cross
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Finishing
Crossing
Attacking Header Finishing: Score Challenge 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.
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Finishing
Crossing
Skill Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Goals Needed
Competitive
Fun
Repetition
Duration
14 min
Players
4-16
Pitch size
Penalty area plus flanks
Ability levels
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Pitch diagram
Attacking Header Finishing: Score Challenge — 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 it as a timed competition — pairs or teams count successful reps and compare scores.
- 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.
- 4Run it as a timed competition — pairs or teams count successful reps and compare scores.
Coaching points
- -Attack the ball, do not wait for it
- -Head down and across the keeper
- -Use the arms to create separation legally
- -Keep quality while the score matters
- -Reset quickly between reps to fit more in
Common mistakes
- -Jumping too early
- -Heading up over the bar
- -Running in a straight line and being marked