Diving Headers

Objectives

To present a challenging game requiring high-quality attacking heading to place goalkeepers in situations requiring good assessment and reactions.

Organization

• Group is split in half with a recognized goalkeeper in each group.
• One group heads for goal; the other retrieves the balls, except for the designated goalkeeper, who defends the goal.
• Ball is served by coach to produce "header" for goal - with a significant percentage of serves requiring a diving header.
• Goalkeeper does whatever is required to prevent the goal.
• Goalkeeper must return to near-post position after each serve - the server/coach can throw the ball directly into goal if the keeper anticipates the cross.
• Each team has a certain number of headers (e.g., 20) and then changes places with other group.

Coaching Points

• Heading group should be encouraged to head ball down and away from the keeper.
• The "header" back across the goalkeeper is particularly difficult for the keeper to deal with.
• Suggest the goalkeeper holds near-post position until the server has committed a thrown ball across the goal.
• Advise keeper to move across goal quickly and, if possible, get set for the header (time may not allow for this).
• Encourage the goalkeeper to try to read the type of header - and then consider "playing the percentages" by sometimes spreading.

ABILITIES DEVELOPED	KC's EMPHASIZED
For the keeper - good judgment, nerve and reactions.	Alert and Alive, Stay On Feet, Open, Don't Fall Back, Set.

Additional Information

"Diving Headers" is a similar practice to Side Kicks, as it puts the goalkeeper under the same type of decision-making pressure. "Know-How" and nerve are important here, because the odds are against the goalkeeper. Therefore, praise should be given for the good saves and the near saves. Consideration and, where possible, encouragement should be exercised for the ones that get away. Criticism that is too severe could have a negative effect.

Once the goalkeeper realizes the requirements and begins to "play the percentages," the rewards can be significant.

This practice can be developed so that the service foot and headers for goal are all performed by the players. Any goal counts, but a headed goal counts double. Make sure there is an opportunity to practice from both sides.

Age Suitability

Age	Suitable	Comments
6-11	NO	Not yet ready for this practice. Leave heading to next age phase.
12-15	YES	Excellent practice for this age group, but the heading standards will not be very good. Initially use an easy serve.
16+	YES	First-class practice. At this age the players should be ready to progress to developed practice outlined above.