Football
Coach Hub

Heading

Heading Technique Pairs: Score Challenge

Learn safe heading technique

Heading
Defending
Receiving

Heading Technique Pairs: Score Challenge is a 10-minute heading drill for 2-16 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 library
Heading
Defending
Receiving
Technical Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Quick 10 Minutes
Competitive
Fun
Repetition

Duration

10 min

Players

2-16

Pitch size

10 x 8 yards

Ability levels

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Pitch set-up: Heading Technique Pairs: Score Challenge12C10 x 8 yards

Heading Technique Pairs: Score Challenge — Pairs facing each other · 10 x 8 yards

Step 1 of 4Server throws gently for the partner to head back.

  1. 1. Server throws gently for the partner to head back.
  2. 2. Ten headers then swap.
  3. 3. Progress from standing to a one-step approach.
  4. 4. Run it as a timed competition — pairs or teams count successful reps and compare scores.
  • 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

  1. 1Pairs stand five yards apart with one ball.
  2. 2Cones mark the working area.
  3. 3Coach walks the group through technique first.

Coaching instructions

  1. 1Server throws gently for the partner to head back.
  2. 2Ten headers then swap.
  3. 3Progress from standing to a one-step approach.
  4. 4Run it as a timed competition — pairs or teams count successful reps and compare scores.

Coaching points

  • -Eyes open, contact with the forehead
  • -Neck firm, attack through the ball
  • -Arms out for balance and space
  • -Keep quality while the score matters
  • -Reset quickly between reps to fit more in

Common mistakes

  • -Closing the eyes
  • -Letting the ball hit the head
  • -Contact on the top of the head

Where this drill fits

Related drills

Pitch set-up: Passing Diamond12315 x 15 yards per diamond
Passing
Premium

Passing Diamond

Sharp, accurate passing off both feet

15 min 8-16Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Under 5 to Adults
PassingReceivingFirst Touch
Pitch set-up: Y-Shape Combination Passing12330 x 20 yards
Passing

Y-Shape Combination Passing

Combine in threes to break a line

15 min 6-18Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Under 5 to Adults
PassingAttackingReceiving
Pitch set-up: Rondo12310 x 10 yards
Possession

Rondo

Keep the ball under pressure with quick decisions

15 min 6-18Intermediate / Advanced
Under 8 to Adults
PossessionPassingPressing
Pitch set-up: 1v1 Gate AttackAD12312 x 15 yards
Dribbling

1v1 Gate Attack

Encourage players to run at defenders

15 min 6-16Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Under 5 to Adults
DribblingAttackingDefending
Pitch set-up: First Touch & Turn123C20 x 10 yards
First Touch
Premium

First Touch & Turn

Take the first touch away from pressure

12 min 4-18Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Under 5 to Adults
First TouchReceivingBall Mastery
Pitch set-up: Aerial Control Practice12C15 x 10 yards
Receiving

Aerial Control Practice

Control a bouncing or lofted ball cleanly

12 min 4-16Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Under 5 to Adults
ReceivingFirst TouchHeading