Heading
Heading Technique Practice
Head the ball safely with correct technique
Heading
Defending
Finishing
Heading Technique Practice is a 10-minute heading drill for 4-16 players, suitable for Under 12 to Adults at beginner, intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.
Back to drill libraryHeading
Defending
Finishing
Technical Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Quick 10 Minutes
Duration
10 min
Players
4-16
Pitch size
12 x 10 yards
Ability levels
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Pitch diagram
Heading Technique Practice — Pairs facing each other · 12 x 10 yards
Step 1 of 3Server throws underarm, receiver heads it back from a standing position.
- 1. Server throws underarm, receiver heads it back from a standing position.
- 2. Progress to a small jump and then a moving header.
- 3. Ten reps each then swap.
- Ball
- Pairs working across a marked lane
- C = coach / server
- Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble
Objectives
- -Head the ball safely with correct technique
- -Direct the header with the forehead
- -Build confidence attacking the ball
Setup
- 1Pairs facing each other 4 yards apart.
- 2One ball per pair, soft or size-appropriate balls.
- 3Cones mark each pair's zone.
Coaching instructions
- 1Server throws underarm, receiver heads it back from a standing position.
- 2Progress to a small jump and then a moving header.
- 3Ten reps each then swap.
Coaching points
- -Contact with the forehead, eyes open
- -Attack the ball, don't let it hit you
- -Neck firm, upper body drives through
- -Head down to score, up to clear
Common mistakes
- -Closing the eyes at contact
- -Heading with the top of the head
- -Waiting passively for the ball