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Heading Technique Pairs: Shadow Pressure

Learn safe heading technique

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Defending
Receiving

Heading Technique Pairs: Shadow Pressure is a 10-minute heading drill for 2-16 players, suitable for Under 12 to Adults at beginner, intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones. 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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Heading
Defending
Receiving
Technical Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Quick 10 Minutes
Opposed
Under Pressure
Game Realistic

Duration

10 min

Players

2-16

Pitch size

10 x 8 yards

Ability levels

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Pitch set-up: Heading Technique Pairs: Shadow Pressure12C10 x 8 yards

Heading Technique Pairs: Shadow Pressure — Pairs facing each other · 10 x 8 yards

Step 1 of 4Server throws gently for the partner to head back.

  1. 1. Server throws gently for the partner to head back.
  2. 2. Ten headers then swap.
  3. 3. Progress from standing to a one-step approach.
  4. 4. A shadow defender applies half pressure and can win the ball only after the first touch.
  • Ball
  • Pairs working across a marked lane
  • C = coach / server
  • Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

  • -Learn safe heading technique
  • -Attack the ball rather than let it hit you
  • -Direct the header accurately

Setup

  1. 1Pairs stand five yards apart with one ball.
  2. 2Cones mark the working area.
  3. 3Coach walks the group through technique first.

Coaching instructions

  1. 1Server throws gently for the partner to head back.
  2. 2Ten headers then swap.
  3. 3Progress from standing to a one-step approach.
  4. 4A shadow defender applies half pressure and can win the ball only after the first touch.

Coaching points

  • -Eyes open, contact with the forehead
  • -Neck firm, attack through the ball
  • -Arms out for balance and space
  • -Take the touch away from pressure
  • -Protect the ball with the far foot and body

Common mistakes

  • -Closing the eyes
  • -Letting the ball hit the head
  • -Contact on the top of the head

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