1. Concussions and Heading in Soccer
There have been concerns that heading the ball in soccer can lead to head injuries. This is not true, according to a Duke University Medical Center study that tracked soccer players in Atlantic Coast Conference college soccer for two years. They found that soccer as sport increases the risks for head injuries but heading a soccer ball during that period did not result in a single concussion. The concussions resulted mainly from contact with other players and a ball struck by an opposing player. None of the concussions was a result of intentionally heading the soccer ball.
2. Contact Point
The ball should make contact with the upper part of your forehead. If the ball makes contact with the top of the head it will simply skip away. The upper forehead will hurt you the least after heading a soccer ball. If the contact point is any lower than the forehead, a person is risking a black eye or broken nose.
3. Meet the Soccer Ball
Don't let the soccer ball hit you, instead attack the ball. If a soccer player sits and waits for the soccer ball to come to them the header will have no momentum and not get anywhere near its target. Also, when you meet the soccer ball do not use your neck muscles to propel the ball; rather, bend back with your entire upper body and step into the oncoming soccer ball to achieve adequate velocity on the head shot.
4. Surprise!
There are four main ways to head the ball in soccer. First, there is the standard header where the player plants his feet, squares his shoulders and swings his head into the ball. Next, is the diving header where a player extends his arms in front of him and dives into the ball with his upper forehead. Next, a glancing header is when you do not have the time or space to set your feet but use you head to strike a glancing blow to redirect the ball. Finally, the flick header, which has the standard header stance and position, but in which you use the back of your head to knock the ball in the opposite direction. This header is the most difficult but has the biggest surprise factor.
5. I Can See Clearly Now
It is human nature to want to close your eyes when an object travels quickly towards your head; however, if a player closes his eyes he risks missing the header and running headlong into another player. When approaching the soccer ball keep your eyes open and your head up.
There have been concerns that heading the ball in soccer can lead to head injuries. This is not true, according to a Duke University Medical Center study that tracked soccer players in Atlantic Coast Conference college soccer for two years. They found that soccer as sport increases the risks for head injuries but heading a soccer ball during that period did not result in a single concussion. The concussions resulted mainly from contact with other players and a ball struck by an opposing player. None of the concussions was a result of intentionally heading the soccer ball.
2. Contact Point
The ball should make contact with the upper part of your forehead. If the ball makes contact with the top of the head it will simply skip away. The upper forehead will hurt you the least after heading a soccer ball. If the contact point is any lower than the forehead, a person is risking a black eye or broken nose.
3. Meet the Soccer Ball
Don't let the soccer ball hit you, instead attack the ball. If a soccer player sits and waits for the soccer ball to come to them the header will have no momentum and not get anywhere near its target. Also, when you meet the soccer ball do not use your neck muscles to propel the ball; rather, bend back with your entire upper body and step into the oncoming soccer ball to achieve adequate velocity on the head shot.
4. Surprise!
There are four main ways to head the ball in soccer. First, there is the standard header where the player plants his feet, squares his shoulders and swings his head into the ball. Next, is the diving header where a player extends his arms in front of him and dives into the ball with his upper forehead. Next, a glancing header is when you do not have the time or space to set your feet but use you head to strike a glancing blow to redirect the ball. Finally, the flick header, which has the standard header stance and position, but in which you use the back of your head to knock the ball in the opposite direction. This header is the most difficult but has the biggest surprise factor.
5. I Can See Clearly Now
It is human nature to want to close your eyes when an object travels quickly towards your head; however, if a player closes his eyes he risks missing the header and running headlong into another player. When approaching the soccer ball keep your eyes open and your head up.
