Aerial Ball Clearing
Clearing
Legend
- player
- coach
- aerial ball
- clearance path
- target zone
How it works
Head or volley a crossed ball safely away from the defensive third.
What you need
- cones (for variations)
- soccer ball
Your focus
Aerial clearances are a critical defensive skill. Early repetition of jumping to meet the ball , rather than ducking away from it , builds the confidence and technique to deal with crosses under pressure.
Player stands 5 yards from the penalty spot; coach stands on the 6-yard box edge with balls.
Coach tosses the ball underarm into the air at head height.
Player jumps and heads or volleys the ball away from goal.
Progress to coach tossing from wider angles (left and right sides).
Player must clear to a target zone 20+ yards away.
Complete 10 repetitions from each side.
Goal
Success is a clean contact that sends the ball away from danger, it doesn't have to be perfect, but it needs to go forward and away, not back toward goal.
Helpful cues
- Attack the ball, don't wait for it
- Eyes open through contact
- Head to the corner flag, not straight up
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Player clears a stationary ball placed on a cone at chest height.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Coach adds a passive attacker who approaches; player must clear before contact.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.