Heading
Heading Technique Pairs: 1-to-1 Session
Learn safe heading technique
Heading
Defending
Receiving
Premium
Heading Technique Pairs: 1-to-1 Session is a 10-minute heading drill for 1-2 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
Receiving
Technical Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
1-to-1
Minimal Equipment
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Quick 10 Minutes
Individual Development
Small Group
Duration
10 min
Players
1-2
Pitch size
10 x 8 yards
Ability levels
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Pitch diagram
Heading Technique Pairs: 1-to-1 Session — Pairs facing each other · 10 x 8 yards
Step 1 of 4Server throws gently for the partner to head back.
- 1. Server throws gently for the partner to head back.
- 2. Ten headers then swap.
- 3. Progress from standing to a one-step approach.
- 4. Run as an individual session: coach serves, one player works through the reps with rest built in.
- Ball
- Pairs working across a marked lane
- C = coach / server
- Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble
Objectives
- -Learn safe heading technique
- -Attack the ball rather than let it hit you
- -Direct the header accurately
Setup
- 1Pairs stand five yards apart with one ball.
- 2Cones mark the working area.
- 3Coach walks the group through technique first.
Coaching instructions
- 1Server throws gently for the partner to head back.
- 2Ten headers then swap.
- 3Progress from standing to a one-step approach.
- 4Run as an individual session: coach serves, one player works through the reps with rest built in.
Coaching points
- -Eyes open, contact with the forehead
- -Neck firm, attack through the ball
- -Arms out for balance and space
- -Detailed feedback after every rep
- -Quality of contact over volume
Common mistakes
- -Closing the eyes
- -Letting the ball hit the head
- -Contact on the top of the head