Question & Answer with Men's Soccer's Jeff Hare

Recently, 'Prince' senior writer Nick Wimbush sat down with men's soccer's Jeff Hare to discuss the finer points of something Hare is particularly good at — the header.

'Prince': If you were trying to teach someone how to hit a header in soccer, what would you say?

Jeff Hare: Well basically the first thing I would tell them is that they should not be afraid of the ball. That is the main thing.

P: Could you explain defensive heading to me.

JH: You want to head the ball high and wide. The most dangerous part of the field is in the middle, so you want to get the ball out of that region. You want to hit the bottom third of the ball. You can imagine the ball being divided into three parts — the top third, middle and bottom third. Hitting the bottom third of the ball makes it rise up naturally. The key is to get to the ball first before the other players. The faster and harder you hit the ball, the farther it is going to go.

P: Explain offensive heading.

JH: For attacking, you want to hit the top third of the ball. Hit the ball down because that is the toughest way for the goalie to get it, coming down.

P: From a set piece like a corner kick, what is your technique for trying to head the ball on goal?

JH: It depends on where the ball is coming from. You want to hit it back from the direction that the ball is coming from. The goalie tends to follow the path of the ball, so he is going to be moving toward the ball. You want to hit it back against the grain. Stop and go back to the other side. Ideally you want to hit it low and in the corner, but it is tough to avoid the crowd. So you want to get it on frame. Usually you are close in, so if you get it on frame you have a good chance. P: In terms of power, do you have to make a lunge at the ball?

JH: It has to do with the snapping of your neck. Time it and get up. Snap into the ball using your arms and your upper body. The snapping motion of your head generates some of the power. A lot of it is the speed of the ball. It gives it a natural power.

P: In terms of positioning, are you trying to get yourself in between the marker and the ball?

JH: Yes, definitely. When you have a corner kick or a free kick, the defense will match man on man with whoever is running. The key is to get your guy moving, so he will follow you around, and to get inside him so he is on your back. You win the ball back if he comes through you to get the ball, since it is a foul.

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

P: As far as your technique goes, for a header, do you try to pick out a spot on the ball?

JH: It depends on the situation. If it is a defensive header off a goal kick, I concentrate on the bottom third and I focus on pure power to get it down hill. But if it is a set piece, then I try to aim for a certain spot in the goal. Depending on how my body is facing, sometimes I will flick it backwards or snap it so it goes into a corner. I pick out different parts of the ball and use different parts of my head.

P: What's the best headed goal you've scored during your Princeton career?

JH: I don't know. So far, I got one against Dartmouth last week. One against Yale my sophomore year was also pretty good.

P: Why is the one against Yale one of your favorites?

JH: That was to clinch the Ivy League title. It was 0-0. I just got the first goal and we ended up winning two nothing.

P: Was your goal off a set piece?

JH: That was off a free kick from the corner. Mike Nugent ['02] actually took it and whipped in a great ball and I headed it in.

P: In terms of the game of soccer, what role do you think heading plays? Do you think it is an underrated skill?

JH: I definitely do think it is. I mean it is great. Everyone loves the fancy footwork, but you would be surprised how much the ball is in the air during the game. Being able to win and control the air is a major part of the game. Set pieces are important, so if you are good in the air you get goals off that. We try to utilize that. If you watch professional soccer and the English Premiere League, playing in the air is a must over there. It is starting to come around in the MLS, but it is nowhere to the extent that it is over in England. It is an underrated part, but something that everyone can do in the EPL.

P: Given a choice between taking a shot or heading the ball, which would you choose?

JH: Well, I prefer heading the ball. If it is in the air, I am more comfortable using my head than trying to take a shot.

P: Do you think that headers give goalkeepers a lot of trouble?

JH: It is tough because you have so many people around the goalie. So it is tougher to come out. We are lucky to have Erik White, who is a tall goalie. When you have smaller goalies it becomes a problem because they cannot get their hands on it. And usually you are heading it form close in, like eight yards, so there's not a lot of reaction time. So if you get it on goal, it is tough to stop.

P: So do you think that often times the header is just faster?

JH: Yeah, I think you will get more power than when you flick at the ball with the outside of your foot. When it is up in the air, it is easier for the keeper to get to. With a header, they are kind of frozen as you head. There is not enough time to react.

P: Do you work on heading a lot?

JH: I started out heading when I was young. I just liked doing it. It is pretty fun. When we work on set pieces a lot in practice, I have a chance to get it down. We are always working on finishing.

P: Do you think there is any truth to the studies about heading causing neurological disorders in children. Some youth leagues must believe this since they do not let kids head the ball.

JH: I do not buy that stuff about heading causing brain damage at all. I think that is ridiculous! [Laughing] I have been doing this since I was little, and I am fine.