Dive into the latest research on the long-term effects of heading and concussion prevention with Ontario Soccer's upcoming live webinar focusing on The Long-Term Effects of Heading in youth soccer. As part of Ontario Soccer’s commitment to player safety and development, this session will research on health impacts, monitoring and managing health concerns, and long-term development.

Webinar Details

• Date: Thursday, January 16, 2025
• Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST

Webinar Registration Link:

Ontario Soccer is pleased to announce an upcoming live webinar designed to support clubs, coaches and players in understanding and implementing Ontario Soccer's newly developed heading guidelines. This session will provide valuable insights into the purpose of the guidelines and practical advice on integrating them into training sessions.

Webinar Details

• Date: Thursday, January 30, 2025
• Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST

Webinar Registration Link:

Focus Areas:

Offensive heading places an emphasis on accuracy finding the open area for a goal. Attackers should be taught to get the forehead and eyes over the ball, so the attacker is able to drive ball downward.

Focus Areas:

Defensive heading emphasizes distance, height, and width to get the ball out of harm's way. To direct the ball upward, players should get their forehead and eyes under the ball and more upward through the ball as soon as contact is made with the ball. Players should use their legs to push the up and through the ball. 

Technique Activity - Heading in Pairs

Objective: Focus on attacking or defending headers, adjusted based on the session's goals. Plan includes 5 to 10 total repetitions, tailored to the age stage (refer to Ontario Soccer Heading Guidelines).

Additional Focus: Combine with receiving techniques for balls played from the air (e.g., thigh, chest, foot).

Variations: Use different types of balls, following Ontario Soccer Heading Guidelines.

Session Options

1. Basic Heading Practice
   • Players pair up 3 to 5 yards apart.
   • Player A tosses the ball to Player B, who heads it back.
   • Rotate roles after a set of repetitions.
2. Target Heading
   • Add nets or goals as targets to Option 1.
   • Rotate roles after a set of repetitions.
3. Dynamic Approach to the Ball
   • Player A starts 1 yard behind the toss location and moves forward to meet the ball on a red cone. 
   • Combine with Option 1 or 2. Rotate roles after a set of repetitions. 
4. Color-Coded Start
   • Player A starts at a designated yellow or blue cone and moves forward to meet the ball on the red cone. 
   • Combine with Option 1 or 2. Rotate roles after a set of repetitions.
5. Adding Light Defensive Pressure
   • Player C acts as a passive defender, applying light pressure to Player A during the header. 
   • Rotate roles so each player gets opportunities in all roles. 
6. Competitive Heading Drill
   • Player A starts on the yellow cone, and Player C starts on the blue cone. 
   • Both compete to head the ball into the goal. 
   • Play until the first player scores 2 goals. Run 3 rounds with each player taking turns as the tosser.

Setup Notes

• Adjust the number of pairs depending on the team size.
• Refer to Ontario Soccer's Heading Guidelines for appropriate session progression and safety considerations.

Technique Activity - Inside-Outside

Objective: Focus on attacking or defending headers, depending on the session's goals. Plan includes 5 to 10 repetitions, adjusted for the age stage (refer to Ontario Soccer's Heading Guidelines).

Additional Focus: Combine with techniques for receiving balls from the air (e.g., thigh, chest, foot).

Variations: Use different types of balls as outlined in the Ontario Soccer Heading Guidelines.

Session Options

1. Basic Heading Practice
   • Outside Player (Blue): Tosses the ball to an inside player (Red).
   • Inside Player (Red): Heads the ball back to the same outside player. After heading, they turn, move back into the middle, and find a new open outside player without a ball.
   • Roles rotate after a set of repetitions so Blue players move inside and Red players more outside.
2. Variation 1: Central Box Movement
   • Add a 5x5 yard box in the centre of the grid.
   • Inside players must run through the central box before heading to the next outside player.
3. Variation 2: Passive Defensive Pressure
   • Pair up inside players to introduce passive defenders.
   • Defenders provide light pressure, encouraging timing and decision-making for headers.

Notes

• Rotate roles evenly to ensure all players practice both tossing and heading.
• Encourage accurate tosses and focus on proper heading technique to align with safety guidelines.
• Adjust the number of repetitions or area size based on player numbers and skill level.

Setup notes

• Area: 20x20 yards.
• Players: Designated outside players (Blue) and inside players (Red).

Skill Activity - 2v2 with Bumpers

Objective: Develop heading skills in competitive situations with a focus on scoring, clearing, and decesion-making.

Additional Focus: Encourage players to make quick decisions and use proper heading technique. Emphasize teamwork by incorporating neutral players effectively into play.

Variations: Free Movement - Players are not restricted to their designated halves once the ball is live. Alternative Restarts - Replace throw-ins with chipped passes, depending on the skill level of the neutral players.

Activity Options

1. Activity 1: Competitive Heading Game
   • How to Play:
     • A neutral (Orange) player throws the ball into the area in front of the goal. 
     • Red and Blue players compete to score:
       • 2 points for a goal with a header.
       • 1 point for a goal with another body part.
     • Play continues until one team reaches 5 points or after 2 minutes.
     • Rotate teams so each competes twice and takes turns as the neutral players once.
2. Activity 2: 2v2 Small-Sided Game
   • How to Play:
     • Play begins with a neutral (Orange) player throwing the ball into the area
     • Red Team: Attempts to score in the goal.
     • Blue Team: Clears the ball with their head to their teammates in the opposing half.
     • Teams can pass to neutral player (Orange), who can cross the ball back into the area with a maximum of 2 touches.
     • After a goal, the neutral player restarts play by throwing the ball to the team that scored.
     • Scoring:
       • 2 points for a goal with a header.
       • 1 point for a goal with another body part.

     • Rotate teams so each competes twice and takes turns as the neutral players once.

Setup Notes

• Area: 15x20 yards, divided into two halves (15x10 yards each).
• Players: 2 neutral players (Orange) on the outside, 2 Red players, and 2 Blue players competing inside.

Small-Sided Game - 6v6 with Channels

Objective: Focus on crossing, heading, and scoring in game-like situations while developing timing and spatial awareness.

Additional Focus: Focus on accurate crossing and timing of runs to connect with headers. Encourage communication between players.

Variations: Adjust game rules as needed to match session objectives or player development stages.

Activity

• Rule of Play:
  • Players can only enter the vertical channels after the ball is played to them.
  • The player in the channel has unlimited touches but cannot dribble out of the channel .
  • The player in the channel must deliver a cross.
  • Defenders are not allowed to enter the channel, leaving the player in the channel unopposed. 
• Scoring System:
  • 2 points for a goal scored with a header.
  • 1 point for a goal scored with another body part. 

Setup notes

• Area: Half a full soccer field.
• Channels: Vertical channels has unlimited touches but cannot dribble out of the channel.