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The Specialist: The Header…

June 24th, 2009 | By: Jan | 51 Comments »

Kieft’s “failed” header against Ireland 1988

Traditionally in football, the center forward was a big and strong finisher, almost always good with the head. Think Joe Jordan, Horst Hrubesch, Cees van Kooten, Dick Nanninga and Wim Kieft. Nowadays, being a good header doesn’t mean you need to be tall and big. Lionel Messi – the smallest man on the pitch – scored a perfect header against Rio Ferdinand in the CL finals. The cross was perfect, Messi’s positioning impeccable and his timing and body balance superb. Holland always produced excellent headers. Johan Cruyff could do it, John Rep could do it, Marco van Basten, Willem van Hanegem, Johan Neeskens and John Bosman come to mind. Funnily enough, tall players like Rene Eykelkamp and Pierre van Hooijdonk were infamously bad – relatively speaking – at heading a ball.

The Legend
Bep Bakhuys was the legendary header-specialist of yore. The header “a la Bep Bakhuys” (the diving header) is a statement still being used by tv-commentators, although most have never seen him doing. Bakhuys was big in the 1930s…

A header a la Bakhuys by….eh…Bakhuys…

In Holland, NAC-striker Matthew Amoah can be seen as the Man with the Head. Not tall, but smart. Good positioning, guts and perfect timing.

The Most Beautiful One
Holland has seen many famous header-goals. Wim Kiefts’ failed header did secure Oranje a spot in the semi finals at the EC1988. A failed shot attempt by Koeman, Kieft in off side position only hit the ball half, but the spin on the ball allowed it to bounce behind the Ireland goalie. Or Dick Nanninga’s equalizer against Argentina in 1978? A fierce header, hit with a vengeance from the penalty spot. Johan Cruyff scored a famous header in the EC1 finals against Inter Milan in De Kuip. The lean striker jumped up between the goalie and two big defenders but his timing won out and he scored the all important second goal.

The most beautiful header ever, is – and I apologize already – by a German player. One Uwe Seeler. It was in 1970, the WC in Mexico. West Germany vs England. Peter Bonetti in goal. The cross wasn’t good, the ball sailed over Seeler. Or so it seemed. The German striker ran to the point of the six-yard box and turned his back to the goal, only to head the ball backwards, over Peter Bonetti. The goal meant 2-2 in that match and in extra time, Gerd Muller (aarrghhh…) scored the winner for West Germany. Anyway, that goal showed that heading a good ball in – or in this case, a bad ball – is more than just slamming your forehead to the ball. It takes vision, technique, power and timing. Impossible headers, like Seeler’s, can only be described as art

The Skill
Matthew Amoah is by far the best header in the Dutch Eredivisie. “I see it as a gift of God. I don’t think I do anything special. I’ve never trained specifically on it, or something. I’m good at it and I like it. As a striker, when the others practice crosses, I just stand in the box and try to finish the crosses, maybe that’s how I developed it. But I think it starts with the will. Anyone who really wants to be a good header, can become one.” Timing is the key, according to the striker. “I’m not a tall bloke I sometimes play against trees of guys. I do have an enormous jump in my legs, but that wouldn’t do me any good if I didn’t have the timing. And how do you get that…. Hmmm….see, you can train it all you want with someone flicking a ball at you, but in the game it’s always different. Some crosses spin away from the goal, others curve towards the goal. Some crosses are hit hard, others are with feeling… So, I guess it’s a question of gauging the ball, assessing speed and direction and then take action.” Another unique thing about Amoah is his push up. Being right footed, you’d expect him to push off with his left. But he doesn’t. He uses his right foot to jump. “Yeah, is that weird? I didn’t know that. See, my right leg is strongest, so I use that leg. I’m also better with crosses coming from the left, which has to do with that right leg jump.”

The Cross
The quality of the cross is important too, for a good header. Peter Houtman used to score a lot in Groningen, thanks to right winger and Oranje international Bud Brocken. Later on Houtman got served at Feyenoord by one Johan Cruyff. Marco van Basten, Wim Kieft and John Bosman could excel thanks to the crosses by John van ‘t Schip while Patrick Kluivert still sends christmas cards to Finidi George.
Amoah: “For me, that thing where right-footed players play on the left and vice versa is not logical. I love a cross from the left – at touch line – by a left foot, in other words spinning away from the goal. Great! You only need to hit the ball with your forehead. You can hit them hard, and you can place the ball exactly where you want them to go. With those goal-oriented inward spinning balls, it’s hard. Remember Van der Vaart’s crosses against Russia? They were tremendous, but at the same time, a bunch of players mistimed their attempts and they all missed the cross, three times in a row. Van Nistelrooy got it right at the end of the game, but it was too late.”

The Best Header
Amoah: “Well, that’s a hard one to answer… The best header. Whenever an opponent makes it hard for you to reach the ball or makes contact, you’re normally gone. You need good balance to head the ball. For me, there’s not a lot of players who can head the ball well while being jumped by three defenders… The only one I can think off is Chelsea’s John Terry. He’s got the timing, the skill and the power. He doesn’t care who jumps against him, he’s strong enough to win that duel in the air. That makes Terry the best, for my money.”

Here’s the summary of that West Germany – England game in Mexico. Franz Beckenbauer (lousy header) scores an ok goal as well…

And Ajax – Inter in 1972… A good ESPN highlights clip, with JC’s second goal with the head.

Tags: Amoah, Bep Bakhuys, Cruyff, Group C, Houtman, Kieft, Neeskens, Rep, Schip, Terry, Van Hanegem

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 51 comments.

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By Caleb | June 25th, 2009 at 9:58 am

I watched the Spain vs. USA game last night. I’m really glad that the US won. Normally I’m always cheering against the US because a lot of their ‘fans’ are real jackasses and there’s a lot of arrogance and ignorance. It’s probably not from the true fans, but the sports commentators who normally cover baseball/basketball/football/etc, and the every-4-year-fans. But lately I’ve wanted to see Spain taken down a peg because ever since the Euros a lot of their fans have been complete arrogant jackasses as well (remember those fans on our blog after Spain won the Euros?). So, a little egg on their face looks good on them.

As for the actual game, USA’s goals were kind of lucky, but they got the opportunities because they worked hard and never gave up. They seem to have the right mentality at least. Spain didn’t look too impressive during the game and never really dominated at all. I’ve noticed it a few times already during the tournament that they have a lot of trouble breaking down defensive teams.

No conspiracy theories about saving it for next year, or even more far fetched, economic/political reasons (seriously?? you think soccer teams are influenced by that?) – they were definitely trying to win, they just couldn’t do it.

Posted from Canada

By Caleb | June 25th, 2009 at 10:00 am

I was just thinking… maybe goose has a split personality and he’s actually bickering with himself, without actually knowing it?? That would explain why two posters from the Netherlands choose the name goose

Posted from Canada

By Andrew | June 25th, 2009 at 11:19 am

I’m with Caleb about the way the US broadcasters (i.e. ESPN) cover the US national team. They can be insufferable. (I might enjoy the team better if I just turned the sound down.) I guess that is what comes when you qualify out of the weakest region on the globe. @Finn, been following your personal life in the other thread; congrats, man, now that you’ve said it out loud…you’re into the planning and execution stage

Andrew

Posted from United States

By Jan | June 25th, 2009 at 2:56 pm

@Caleb:

By Jan | June 25th, 2009 at 3:13 pm

AC Milan took the first right of refusal on Klaas Jan Huntelaar!

By Jan | June 25th, 2009 at 3:14 pm

AC Milan took an option out on KJ Huntelaar….

By Marc | June 25th, 2009 at 3:23 pm

I hate Brazil… lucky free kick. They do not impress me at ALL. I want oranje to play them and beat them by a large amount!

Posted from Switzerland

By alaa | June 25th, 2009 at 3:27 pm

mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn how much I am starting to hate brazil, they remind me too much of the germans now(and you know what we orange fans think of german soccer). man they are just german with a yellow shirt, ugly 90 minutes waiting for south africa to play football and then a free kick in the last three minutes and they win!!!

can these f….. up orange players realize our dream and beat them and win the world cup next year so that we can prove to the world our point in how soccer should be played!!!!!

By Carlos | June 25th, 2009 at 7:34 pm

I am very Sad MJ passed away . Maybe a little weird (which popstar isn’t). But his Thriller album/videos were and are still unbeatable.

Posted from Singapore

By bobotoh | June 25th, 2009 at 8:32 pm

I hope that Huntelaar will move to MU. I think he is the kind of striker that MU need

Posted from Indonesia

By Jan | June 25th, 2009 at 9:00 pm

Yeah Finn, why not Puskas… Good question. It feels I’m missing more great players. Couldn’t find one Italian player…

By sonneveld | June 25th, 2009 at 9:55 pm

bobotoh: the good thing is he can replace the missing goals left by ronaldo.

By futbol | June 25th, 2009 at 11:41 pm

Can’t find any Italian player? How about

Dino Zoff(GK)
Luigi Riva(FW)
Roberto Bettega(FW)
Antonio Cabrini(DF)
Paolo Rossi(FW)

By Oranje_For_Life | June 25th, 2009 at 11:52 pm

I agree with Caleb lol. If there’s a football game going on, I’d rather watch the Spanish channel than the English one. American commentators are fcking retarded!! Not only they’re boring, but their analysis just sound so damn lame, and you can definitely tell that they are used to the basketball/American football style..

Posted from United States

By Carlos | June 26th, 2009 at 1:36 am

Jan – Do you recall my argument about Italy winning 4 World Cups but no real outstanding great players (Pele/Cuyff/Maradona)? Nothing more interesting than the presence of the perfect example ! You just endorsed my case !

Posted from Singapore

By Carlos | June 26th, 2009 at 1:40 am

Ryan Donk has signed for Club Brugge in Belgium. Adrie Koster (ex Ajax) is his coach.

Posted from Singapore

By finnster01 | June 26th, 2009 at 2:25 am

Zuiverloon needs to move too. Championship level in England will not help him develop. It is a bruising league with few great talents and a lot of nut cases. He will probably end up with some broken bones and ligaments.

By Sandesh | June 26th, 2009 at 6:14 am

i think the word Lucky is being used far too often over the past few days reagarding the teams like Italy and Germany and Brazil.
they r good teams and altough they never play sexy football at consistent basis they deserve what they have achieved. i think we fans are a bit too much critical about the teams. Yes, the Oranje have been unlucky a few times but the Champions make their own Luck. i am not writing this to sound different from u people. but these teams have produced one or two great players in every tournament who always rise on the ocassion and that is why they win the game the unity, the arrogancy, and the never say die attitude has been their prime characteristics. And one thing which is important is they play one big tournament with such a winning mentality and they become champions who cares about what happens after? u play 7 great games in a row and u will win the trophy!! simple as that.

Posted from Nepal

By Carlos | June 26th, 2009 at 6:45 am

here here Sandesh ! Thats why Italy has 4 and Oranje 0. But I dont think any team plays 7 great games – usually it’s the team that starts slow, has a few lucky breaks and peaks at the right time. Holland ‘88

Posted from Singapore

By Sandesh | June 26th, 2009 at 6:58 am

tat is right carlos. BTW who do u think we gonna be grouped wid in WC 2010
i think it will a bit of tricky stuff
Holland
Egypt or USA
North Korea or may be Australia
Russia or may be Chile
looks a prettty easy job if it happens but these teams can pull out surprise. they are the giant killers in my reading.

Posted from Nepal

By Carlos | June 26th, 2009 at 7:23 am

Sandesh, think the group stage will be easy – it’s the knockout we need to be careful about. Would love to have Australia in our group and we both get thru !!

Posted from Singapore

By sonneveld | June 26th, 2009 at 8:09 am

we need to win that first knockout game. then we will get confidense.

By Jan | June 26th, 2009 at 8:24 am

I say: we need to win all the games. That will give confidence

By Dr.Mansur | June 29th, 2009 at 1:53 am

Bep Bakhuys!!!hmmmmmm!He is the only player who scored more goals than the number of international appearances for Holland.

Posted from Australia