Heading for Goalkeepers

I've been watching quite a bit of high level soccer lately and have noticed that high level keepers are able to save themselves a lot of trouble by skillful heading.  I know that not many keepers work on heading because they can use their hands so why try to head the ball?  Heading is useful in two situations:

1. A long through ball that will land about 20-25 yards from the goal. If the keeper doesn't play the ball, a striker will gather it on and be one-on-one.  The ball can not be allowed to bounce for control by the feet.

2. A high ball is played back to the keeper by a team-mate.  The keeper can not handle the ball, because of the deliberate foot pass rule. (This should be a rare situation.)

The keeper's objectives in heading the ball are to get it out of trouble.   This usually means the ball should be sent high and wide.

The drill is intended to deal with situation 1 which is fairly common in games.

Server positions himself about 10 yards from keeper and serves a high ball that the keeper must deal with about 5 yards in front of keeper. Keeper runs to the ball and heads it high and back up field.  This first progression is designed to allow the keeper to gain confidence in heading. Server must serve balls that the keeper can deal with.

When keeper has gained confidence, sever moves back and varies serve to require more keeper movement.  Make keeper jump to head the ball.

Move the server to mid-field and locate keeper inside the penalty area.   Server serves long ball that keeper must either deal with by heading the ball before  it reaches PA.  Add pressure of an attacker. Initially limit attacker to 50% effort. As keeper gains confidence, allow attacker 100% effort.

Note that the keeper must develop confidence in heading ability.  If the keeper appears unable to handle a situation, drop back to a lower level in the progression.

Because the keeper is used to handle high balls with the hands, the keeper may have problems judging high balls that have to be headed.  The only guidance I can give is practice.  Work with heading in practice so that when the game situation comes up, you have confidence and ability.

Note that if you use your hands outside the PA to stop an attack as in situation 1, you can receive a red card for stopping an obvious goal scoring opportunity.

Les

Copyright 1996-2002 ©Les Sparks

Les Sparks had the Goalkeeper's Corner website for the Carolina United Soccer Club from 1996 - 2002. 

Created: 12/20/99
Last Updated: 06/04/03

Since February 24, 1999
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