Gafferbook
Heading ยท U14 to adult

Timing your header: attack the ball

From a few metres back, players move forward to meet a lobbed light ball rather than waiting for it. Teaches timing and attacking the ball, unopposed. 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.

U14 to adultAges
Groups of 3Players
10 x 15 mArea
5 to 8 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

  • Header starts 4 metres behind a cone; server 8 metres in front.
  • Count headers.

Equipment: Light balls, cones

How it works

  1. Server lobs the ball towards the cone.
  2. Header moves forward to meet it at the cone and heads it back.
  3. Stop at the age-group limit.

Coaching points

  • Start moving as the ball leaves the server's hands.
  • Meet it, don't wait for it.
  • Eyes open through contact.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Shorter run

Make it harder

  • Server varies height and distance

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

Questions about this drill?

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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.

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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.

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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†’