Gafferbook
Heading ยท U12 to adult

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.

U12 to adultAges
PairsPlayers
5 m apartArea
5 minsTime

Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.

โž• Put it in tonight's session๐Ÿ—“ Build my season around itโœ๏ธ Make my own version

Set-up

  • Pairs 3 to 5 metres apart; one light ball per pair.
  • Count headers: stop at the limit for the age group.

Equipment: Light or size 3 balls

How it works

  1. Server tosses the ball gently underarm to forehead height.
  2. Header returns it into the server's hands.
  3. Swap roles; finish once each player has hit the age-group limit.

Coaching points

  • Eyes open, mouth closed, watch the ball onto your forehead.
  • Attack the ball with the forehead: hairline, not the top of the head.
  • Use your neck and upper body, arms out for balance.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Start from sitting or kneeling, very soft tosses

Make it harder

  • Head to a target (left or right hand)
  • Step into the header

AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ†’ Passโ†’ Runใ€ฐโ†’ Dribble

Questions about this drill?

Free AI coaching help from Gafferbook. Ask anything about coaching your team.

More heading drills

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.

See the drill โ†’

Attacking 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 โ†’

Flick-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 โ†’

Heading 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 โ†’

Jumping 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 โ†’

Throw-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†’