Basic Football Tactics
Primary 6 · Physical Education
Basic Football Tactics
Lesson 3 of 4
16 min
Let's begin
A corner kick curls high into the penalty area. It is too high to kick, and only the goalkeeper may use hands. Gatete jumps... and heads the ball down into the corner of the goal!
When the ball is in the air, a header is often the best way to play it. But your brain is precious, so heading must be learned carefully, gently and safely. Today you will learn how, and when to use each kind of header.
Important
Safety first: heading and your brain
Heading a ball can hurt the brain, sometimes from one hard knock and sometimes from many small ones over the years. So football organisations in many countries now limit heading for children:
So in this lesson you learn the technique with a balloon or a soft, light ball (a sponge ball, or a football with some of the air let out), and you head it only a few times. Never practise heading a hard, heavy or wet ball. Your teacher may also make a "no heading" rule in class games.
Jog, skip and side-step. Then gently turn your head to look over each shoulder, 5 times each way, and slowly nod your chin down to your chest and back up. Keep these neck movements slow and small.
Play 4 against 4 with a soft ball. You move the ball by throwing it to a teammate, who must head it to a third teammate, who catches it. You score only with a header into the goal. If the ball touches the ground, the other team gets it. Play for 5 minutes, with a rest in the middle.
Walk slowly. Stretch your legs, and let your shoulders drop and relax. Drink clean water.
Warning
Stay safe
Tip
Eyes open, mouth shut, forehead first!
And remember the jobs: attackers head it down, defenders head it high, far and wide.
Try each one first, then tap Show answer to check.
Which part of your head should touch the ball?
Answer: The forehead, the flat, hard part just below the hairline.
Should your eyes be open or closed when you head the ball?
Answer: Open. Watch the ball all the way to your forehead, and keep your mouth closed.
A high ball comes into your own penalty area. Where should you head it?
Answer: High, far and wide: up, a long way from your goal, and out towards the side of the pitch.
Your team has a corner kick. You jump to head the ball at goal. Which way should it go?
Answer: Down, towards the goal line and a corner. A bouncing ball is hard for the goalkeeper to save.
After two players' heads bump together, Ishimwe says she feels dizzy. What should happen?
Answer: She should stop playing at once and tell the teacher, and not go back into the game that day.
What you learned today
Sources and credits
This lesson adapts CC BY-SA material and is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Quick check
In the United States, children aged 10 and under do not head the ball at all.
