How to Head the Soccer Ball

Technique

The basic technique of heading is to use the forehead, due to the fact that the forehead has a large surface area and can provide accuracy on a header. The forehead also allows a player to put power on a headed ball. The basic coaching points when teaching heading technique are;

• Watch the ball.
• Contact ball with forehead, just above eyebrows.
• Lean back before contact.
• Head through the ball, leaning forward and using neck muscles to put power on the header.
• End motion looking directly at intended target.

Defending

When a player executes a defensive header it is more important that distance and height are on the header. A defensive header that drops short could result in a dangerous volleyed or first time shot on goal from the opposition. Headers should be aimed out of the area preferably out to the wide areas. When practicing defensive headers the coach can place goals on the corners of the 18 yard box, having headed clearances go through the goals without bouncing counts as 1 point. This drills encourages a defender to get distance and width on headed clearance, while also requiring accuracy. When a defender is going up for a header, it should be reinforced to the other defenders to adopt cover positions in case of missed headers. Drill Design with Coachfx software

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Attacking

Headers on goal should be hit powerfully and low. Heading a ball downwards makes it more difficult for a goalkeeper to save. A forward should head the ball suing the forehead and follow through powerfully in a downward direction when heading on goal. The ball should ideally bounce 1-2 yards in front of the goal line to bounce up on the keeper.

When practicing headers on goal you can begin by standing 5 yards to the side of the goal, and feed the balls in underarm to get used to the action. You can then increase difficulty by having balls crossed in from the sidelines as they would be in a game. Progress the difficulty by adding defensive pressure.

If a ball is out of reach a diving header should be used. A diving header means the forward leaving his feet and propelling his body towards the ball. The player heading on goal should still be looking up and still contact the ball with the forehead. The clip below shows a good example of a diving header on goal by former England international striker Alan Shearer;

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When practicing diving headers you can familiarize the players with the motion of diving by practicing the skill in stages. Pair off the players and begin by diving headers from a kneeling position. Have one feeder with the ball throw underarm in front of his partner, who performs the diving header from the knees. Progress by having both players in a standing position, the feeder throws underarm from 5-10 yards away, while a player dives and heads the ball back to his partner. Finish by practicing diving headers from game situation crossed balls from the sideline.

Flick On

At times a tactically aware player may recognize a situation where a flick on to a teammate is a better opportunity than a textbook header. An example of such a situation is illustrated in diagram A; Drill Design with Coachfx software

Diagram A

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In diagram A, a long high ball is headed in the direction of player X9 who is under tight pressure from O5. In this situation a simple flicked header off the top of his head would be effective. All the speed and power is already on the ball so a simple redirection can beat O5 and provide a dangerous through ball for X10 to bear down on goal.

Action Plan

• Partner 5 yards away heading ball back.
• Progress to jumping and heading ball with both feet off ground.
• Practice diving headers back to partner.
• Defensive headers from crosses, score 1 point for through goal wide and outside of area.
• Headers on goal from crossed balls.