Defensive clearing header
Defenders head a served ball high, far and wide to a target zone. Teaches the clearing header that gets the ball out of danger. Follow heading guidance: no heading practice for U11 and below; U12 to U13 max 5 headers per player per session, U14 to U16 max 10.
Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.
Set-up
- Server with balls, a defender, and a wide target zone with a catcher.
- Count each defender's headers.
Equipment: Light balls, cones
How it works
- Server throws a looping ball towards the defender.
- Defender steps in and heads it high and wide towards the catcher.
- Rotate after the age-group limit.
Coaching points
- Get under and behind the ball early.
- Head through the bottom half of the ball for height and distance.
- Aim wide, away from goal.
Add this drill to a session plan โ
Make it easier
- Shorter throws
Make it harder
- Move into position from a side-step start
- Choose the target zone the coach calls late
AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ Passโ Runใฐโ Dribble
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More heading drills
Heading technique in pairs (light ball)
A partner tosses a light ball underarm and the player heads it back into their hands. The safest way to learn correct technique. Follow heading guidance: no heading practice for U11 and below; U12 to U13 max 5 headers per player per session, U14 to U16 max 10.
See the drill โAttacking header from a served cross
A coach serves a cross by hand and attackers head at goal, aiming down. Practises timing a run and the downward header keepers hate. Follow heading guidance: no heading practice for U11 and below; U12 to U13 max 5 headers per player per session, U14 to U16 max 10.
See the drill โFlick-on header to a runner
A target player glances a served ball on into the path of a runner. Teaches the flick-on used from goal kicks and long balls. Follow heading guidance: no heading practice for U11 and below; U12 to U13 max 5 headers per player per session, U14 to U16 max 10.
See the drill โHeading accuracy to target zones
A server tosses a light ball and the player heads it to the target zone the coach calls. Accuracy over power. Follow heading guidance: no heading practice for U11 and below; U12 to U13 max 5 headers per player per session, U14 to U16 max 10.
See the drill โJumping header technique
Players learn to take off from one foot and meet a tossed light ball at the top of their jump. Safe, unopposed technique for older players. Follow heading guidance: no heading practice for U11 and below; U12 to U13 max 5 headers per player per session, U14 to U16 max 10.
See the drill โThrow-head-catch game
A handball-style game where the ball moves by throw, then head, then catch, and goals are scored with a header. Fun practice of timing and placement with a light ball. Follow heading guidance: no heading practice for U11 and below; U12 to U13 max 5 headers per player per session, U14 to U16 max 10.
See the drill โ