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Heading and Paraguay are synonymous.

Striker Roque
Santa Cruz (Manchester City, former Bayern Munich and
educated by Olimpia) is viewed as one of the best headers
in the world, but there isn't a Paraguayan player who can't
head. “In Paraguay all academies pay a lot of attention to
heading, especially in my age group, the U14s. In this age
groups players already master the ball, so you can start to
work on the fine-tuning,” says Luis Acosta.
Youth plan Contrary to most youtrh academies in
Paraguay, Olimpia works with a structured hyouth plan.
“Every day of the year, for every age group has been
worked out. I enter the
training field with my plan and know exactly what I am
going to do and say.”
Winning “We are different from most other Paraguayan
club, but also from most South American clubs when it
comes to winning. We are focused on educating, not on
match results. Other clubs focus on winning, even with the
U14s.”
Ball Acosta's team trains four times a week. “We do
everything with the ball, even the physical training
sessions. We integrate aerobic exercise with tactical and
technical exercises. This is done by our physical trainer.
For me as a coach most attention is
No. 43 October/November 2010
47
paid to starting to develop the tactical game and heading.
Heading can really be developed into a weapon, when you
can master it. A lot of coaches and players underestimate
this. Heading is much more than touch the ball with your
head, just like there is a fine technique for shooting the
ball.”

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