World Football: 10 Header Attempts Gone Horribly Wrong (Video)

The header is perhaps the hardest skill to master in football.

Don't think so? Just watch these videos.

The skill is unique to football, and it shows. Putting a head squarely on the ball is next to impossible—or so you'd think.

If you've ever watched football—or played it, of course—you know exactly how bad it can be messed up.

And, you probably also know how funny it can be for everyone else.

John Terry Is a Fish

Who: John Terry

Team: England

Occasion: 2010 World Cup, Group stages vs. Slovenia

What happened: Terry tried to block a Slovenia shot. Instead of sticking out his leg, though, he dived at full length along the grass.

Difficulty rating: 9

Terry managed to emulate a fish and inspire a new dance craze. Just kidding.

Dave Misses Another

Who: Dave

Team: Unknown

Occasion: Pub league

What happened: Dave, who has apparently missed several times before, missed another header after a teammate sent a glorious cross through the box.

Dave wanted to head the ball at the target, but instead he flicked it on—out of bounds for a goal kick.

Difficulty rating: 3

Dave got pretty high in the air. It looks like he was moving quite fast, and he doesn't seem like the tallest fella out there.

This wasn't a terrible miss, but it was quite funny, especially since he's done it several times before.

Patrick Mortensen Gets Hit

Who: Patrick Mortensen

Team: Lyngby BK

Occasion: Unknown—possibly a Scandinavian league match

What happened: Mortensen made a run to meet an aerial cross. The cross, however, met his face.

Difficulty rating: 6

Did he take his eye off the ball or something?

Header onto the Bar

Who: Unknown

Team: Unknown

Occasion: League match?

What happened: Fast forward to the :40 mark. After one player hit the bar with a shot, his teammate ran onto the rebound and attempted a header. The header, though, went right back onto the bar.

Difficulty rating: 4

This guy worked his socks off. He just couldn't steer the ball home.

Another Pub League Miss

Who: Unknown

Team: Unknown

Occasion: Pub league

What happened: The team that looks like Brazil worked the ball through the midfield and prepared to score after a cross from the right side.

But, the unlucky fella on the end of the cross headed the ball wide of the net when completely unmarked.

Difficulty rating: 7

All he had to do was put the ball on goal. That goalie didn't look too interested in saving anything.

Luka Modric Heads Over

Who: Luka Modric

Team: Tottenham Hotspur

Occasion: Premiership match?

What happened: Spurs work through the field with a sweeping move, finished off by a charging header from Modric. Oops.

Difficulty rating: 4

This isn't that bad. Modric was making a late run into the box. He looked a bit off balance.

But, it was a beautiful move and a great cross from Aaron Lennon.

Point-Blank Miss

Who: Unknown

Team: Palmerston or University

Occasion: Prelim Final 2007

What happened: Palmerston—or University—worked a free kick around to the right wing, from where a cross was played to the back post. But, some dude headed it over from no more than five yards.

Difficulty rating: 8

We understand if you don't score there. But, we don't understand how you can miss the target.

The Bad Header That Somehow Goes in

Who: Josh (unknown youth player)

Team: Unknown youth club

Occasion: Unknown

What happened: This youth player messed up a header and somehow got a goal anyway. Just watch.

Difficulty rating: 9

Don't celebrate that!

Goalie Headed Own Goal

Who: Unknown goalkeeper

Team: Unknown

Occasion: Unknown

What happened: The other team shot, but it was deflected by a defender from the goalie's team. The ball flew high in the air and came down at the goal line.

Instead of punching or catching, the goalie tried to head the ball away. It didn't work.

Difficulty rating: 10

What in the world?

Colin Hawkins' Beautiful Own Goal

Who: Colin Hawkins

Team: Brighton and Hove Albion

Occasion: FA Cup vs. Hartlepool United

What happened: Hartlepool crossed into the Brighton box. Hawkins powered a beautiful header into the net—his own net.

Difficulty rating: 9

A diving header is difficult. How often can you pull it off at full stretch?

That should have counted as at least half a goal for his team.