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Use your head
WARM-UP: 2V2 ON MINI-PITCHES
Organisation
• Players play 2v2 on their own mini-pitches and follow a throw-head-catch
sequence to try and score in their opponents’ goal
• Players can also try to keep the ball in the air between them before scoring
• Players can move pitch every three minutes to play against different opponents
Ways to make the exercise easier
• Players can start with throwing and catching before introducing the heading
Ways to make the exercise harder
• Players can only intercept the ball by heading it
Great questions to ask the children
• Can you move off the ball in order to receive the next pass?
• Can you cushion your header to your partner?
• Can you head with power when trying to score?
Safety tips
• Play throw-head-catch for two to three minutes, then alternate with volley and
catch
• Create a safe playing area
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SKILL DEVELOPMENT: 2V2 WITH ATTACKING HEADERS
Organisation
• Organise mini-pitches for 2v2 with attacking headers, two goals and a halfway
line
• Players serve each other and head towards the goal
• Opponents can act as goalkeepers or head it straight back if the ball is still high
in the air and can be attacked
• Players get a double goal for heading the ball straight back into the goal
• After three minutes, the winners move up a pitch and losers move down a pitch
Ways to make the exercise easier
• Opponents can only save the ball with their body and not their hands
Ways to make the exercise harder
• You can only score from a double header
• You can make the pitch bigger
Great questions to ask the children
• Can you try to serve from in front of your partner?
• What direction is best for an attacking header?
• What part of the ball should you head to make it go downwards?
Safety tips
• Create a safe playing area
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GAME APPLICATION: 6V6 GAME
Organisation
• Organise your players into teams of 6v6 and create mini-pitches
• If a team is waiting, they can also play 3v3 to keep them active
• Just let your players play
• Learn through play and different challenges of facing new opposition
• Let the children referee their own games
• A headed goal counts double, a diving header counts three
Ways to make the exercise easier
• One team can have extra players if you have uneven numbers or a weaker team
Ways to make the exercise harder
• You can only score with a headed goal
Great questions to ask the children
• Can you cross the ball to encourage headers?
• Can you attack the ball from crosses?
Safety tips
• Create a safe playing area
