Video:How to Do a Header in Soccer

Transcript:How to Do a Header in Soccer

Hi, my name is Ashley Hammond. I'm the owner of the Soccer Domain Football Club in Montclair, NJ. I'm here for About.com to talk about how to take an attacking header in the game of soccer. 

A player can head the ball to pass the ball. A player can head the ball defensively, in order to get the ball away from their defensive area, and very excitingly, a player can head the ball to shoot the ball at the goal. 

Preparing for a Header

When a player is doing an attacking header, they are usually inside the 18 yard box. With all headers, it is very important that the player heading the ball watches the ball at all times. By keeping their arms slightly up, a player heading the ball can use their arms to feel where other players are much like an insect uses their antenna. 

Keep Your Eye on the Ball

This enables them to keep their eye on the ball, head the ball, and make sure that they don't get hurt doing so. By keeping their eye on the soccer ball,  a player watches and then runs toward a soccer ball and as it comes toward them, they can jump or they can stand, making sure that they head the ball down, making it very difficult for the goal keeper to save the ball. 

Completing the Header

When doing an attacking header, some of the basic principles of soccer occur. It is very important to make sure you remain on your toes. If the ball is high in the air, it is also very important to jump and meet the ball at its highest point. This gives the player the maximum advantage over the defenders and the goal keeper. When they make the decision to head the ball, they arch their back and they thrust their head forward, hitting the ball in the middle of the ball, creating maximum power.

Thank you for watching. For more information, go to sports.About.com.