Can someone teach Crouch to score goals with his head?

[friedk]

Probably not the best thread to start the day after he scored a good goal with his head; but I get your point.

[PTP]

I'm sure I've mentioned this a few time before but will throw it into the mix again.

The problem crouch has with heading/attacking the ball is a result of poor development of his muscles etc when he was younger. As he was so much taller than everyone he played against from the age 13 to 20, he would win headers comfortably. As a result he never developed the correct technique/strentgh/muscles to really dominate in the air at the highest level. For example someone like John Terry, would've really worked hard as a youngster on timing his runs, attacking the ball properly etc so therefore its second nature to him. Crouch went through the development stages of his career without ever being challenged for a header and probably won 99% of headers he went for. Now at the top level he is being found out a little.

Put it this way - if there was 50-50 header that both JT and Crouch were challenging for and you had to bet your life on one of them winning it who would you pick?

[PTP]

to be fair to Crouch tho, last nights goal he actually did attack the ball properly, so much so that me and ,y mates were convinced it was Hyppia at first(due to the **** camera angle as well)

[Milan_Milan]

Thing is, he seems to hit the middle of the goal more often than not. Better than the header being off target sure, but generally makes it easier for the keeper. I mean i'm 5'8, but (for some reason ive never quite got to the bottom of) I can head the ball towards the corners more often than not, if I can do it, then a premiership and international forward a foot taller than me should be able to.

It cant be that difficult surely, just have him v 2 youth team defenders in the box, get someone to swing crosses in for an hour a day and let him practice them. It would be such a huge advantage to have in games for us, and we're not using it.

[Shaggy]

Put it this way - if there was 50-50 header that both JT and Crouch were challenging for and you had to bet your life on one of them winning it who would you pick?

Crouch.

[PTP]

you winding me up

[Shaggy]

No mate. I don’t recall Terry struggling as much against ANY centre forward as he does against Crouch. He regularly gives him a torrid time, wins the majority of headers and of course left Terry floundering when he headed the winner in the Charity Shield.

[PTP]

I knew there would be one!

Fair enough Terry may struggle when its a long ball foward and crouch is standing his ground, getting the flick ons etc - what I was trying to say/get across (if this makes sense) is -

if the ball is hanging in the air and both Terry and Crouch are running towards each other at a decent speed(and the ball) and both jump/attack the header who will win it.

IMO Terry would as he is stronger, more athletic, better in the air, more commited to attack the ball where as Crouch would **** out

[PTP]

BTW - I was using JT as an example due to the difference in height vs the gulf of ability in air.

i could of used anyone who is half decent in the air - even someone Paul Dickov's height attack the ball better than Crouch.

[carheex]

I want to do that more often than not.

He just doesn't use his height advantage enough in the box. He could be a real nightmare for defenders with crosses coming over from the by-line and defenders turned.

He should give us that aerial threat so that even if he doesn't win the header then his presence.technique means the defence can't clear the ball and the crumbs drop to Gerrard on the edge of the box.

Or am I living in fantasy land again?

it's a bit of a myth that he's crap with his head - i've just checked some stats....just under 20% of his career goals have come from headers. that's pretty impressive. too many people get confused and think that tall players should use their height advantage. absolute rubbish. Look at Fowler for example - one of the best goal scorers with his head in the business and stands at a mighty 5ft 7ish!! being good in the air or on the ground is about skills and timing, and not much else. Give Crouchy a break - where would we be without him right now!?!?!

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Hes got no power in his headers and for a big man thats not acceptable he should be powering evry header and in general he isnt great with the head.

[Shaggy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFuLE2FP0fI&mode=related&search=

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Would like to see more of it and be a bit like Alan Shearer with the same aggression

[dom9]

I would say the best header of the ball at the club is Luis Garcia.

It has less to do with height or neck muscles, than technique.

As someone mentioned above, Crouch never learned to head the ball properly when he was younger because he didn't have to. He was so tall, he would win all headers without competition. This has come from one of his former managers - Graham Taylor. You can't learn these things in your 20s liek you can when you're 12.