Defensive Heading & Clearances

Objectives

• -Head the ball high, far and wide safely
• -Attack the ball rather than let it drop
• -Follow FA guidance on limited heading volume

How to set it up

1. 1Mark out the working area at Penalty area. Put a cone on each corner so the boundary is obvious to the players.
2. 2Servers on the edge of the box with light balls.
3. 3Defenders in the six yard area with a target zone wide.
4. 4Cones marking the clearance target zones.
5. 5Kit for this practice: Balls, Cones. Keep a supply of spare balls beside the coach so a lost ball never stops the practice.
6. 6Split 3-14 players into two or three even groups. Run two stations side by side if you have the space, so lines never grow beyond four players.
7. 7Set the area up before the players arrive, then walk them through the shape once at a jog before the first live repetition.

How to run it, step by step

1. 1Get the players into position and walk the first repetition through slowly so everybody knows where they start and where they go.
2. 2Server lofts the ball, defender heads into the wide target zone.
3. 3Six headers per player only, then rotate to a ground role.
4. 4Score for height, distance and width of the clearance.
5. 5After their action each player follows their pass and joins the back of the next line, so everybody rotates through every position in the practice.
6. 6The repetition ends when the ball reaches the final target or leaves the area. The next player starts straight away.
7. 7Freeze the practice once or twice per round, make one coaching point to the whole group, then restart immediately.

What each player does

Working player

Takes the repetition: receives, executes the heading action and finishes the sequence at match pace.

Server

Delivers a consistent, firm ball on the coach's call, then collects a spare ball ready for the next repetition.

Defender

Starts passive and builds to full pressure, staying side on and forcing the working player into their weaker side.

Waiting players

Stand behind the start cone with a ball ready, watch the repetition in front of them and step in the moment it finishes.

Coach

Stands where the whole picture is visible, serves or calls the start, and makes one clear point per freeze.

Timings and organisation

• -Run 4 rounds of roughly 3 minutes inside the 12 minute slot.
• -Give 45-60 seconds of rest between rounds so the quality of the work stays high, and use that gap for your coaching point.
• -Rotate roles at the end of every round so each player works, serves and defends across the practice.
• -If the practice is too easy, move to a progression rather than adding more repetitions. If players are struggling, drop to a regression for one round and then build back up.

Common mistakes

• -Waiting for the ball to arrive
• -Closing eyes and heading with the top of the head
• -Heading straight back to the server
• -Standing still and watching instead of moving into the next position