Soccer Heading - The different ways & methods of heading a soccer ball

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In this section, we'll learn everything there is to know about soccer heading, from how you should hit the ball correctly, learning the different methods of heading the ball as well as analyzing the role heading plays for each player on the pitch.


How to head a soccer ball

The first thing that you must understand is that the ball should be struck with the upper part of your forehead. This part of the skull will not injure or hurt, because it is comprised of only skin and thick bone. One of the most difficult obstacles in learning how to head the ball is overcoming the natural fear which discourages you from propelling your head straight at a flying object. Don't allow the ball to hit you. You charge at it!

Young players tend to close their eyes when heading the ball. By doing so, you can't see where the ball is and you can seriously injure yourself. You also need to keep your eye on the part of the ball that you want to head. Hitting it below its equator will cause it to rise while striking the upper part of the ball produces a downward header.

The force, which you apply to the ball, should not come from your neck muscles. Bending backward your entire upper body and propelling your head forward will produce far more power. Before heading the ball, you should adjust to its flight by taking a succession of short shuffling steps. This helps you avoid tilting to the side after you have leapt in the air.


Different Types of Headers in Soccer

Standard header - To head the ball with a good amount of power you'll need to arch back and swing your head forward. When heading in this way, you must keep your shoulders leveled and perpendicular to your aim. Contact should be made with the center of the forehead. Standard headers can be used to push the ball in the back of the net, pass or redirect a flying ball or as a defensive clearance.

Diving header - Probably the hardest type of header in your arsenal, but nevertheless a very efficient and spectacular one. In this technique, you must propel your entire body in the path of the ball. Your arms have to be stretched forward for protection on landing.

Glancing header - When executing a glancing header, you must turn your head in direction of your aim. This motion redirects the oncoming ball.

Flick header - On flick headers, you are actually making contact with the back of your head. As you arch backward, you will direct the ball behind yourself. This technique is useful mainly because of the surprise factor. There are three main uses for the flick header in soccer: when a defender wants to send the ball back safely to his goalkeeper (make sure you don't print too much force in the ball), when a midfielder wants to pass the ball forward to the strikers and when a forward tries to make use of a vertical cross to score a goal.


Field Position and Soccer Heading

Heading the soccer ball with proficiency is crucial for all players. For strikers (who will try to make use of crosses with their head), defenders (who will have to clear a lot of the opponent's crosses with their head during the course of a match) and the central midfielder (who will have to redirect goal kicks and defender clearances from both teams with his head).
soccer heading

Attackers – Attackers should undoubtedly have high heading skills and they should be familiar with all methods of heading.
soccer heading

Midfielders – Midfielder's should have good heading skills, especially central midfielders. They will have to purge long balls coming from either side, so a central midfielder should have solid headers. Midfielders can also make good use of their heading skills from set pieces.

Defenders – Defenders are probably the players on the pitch that head the ball most during a match. Whether it's with the purpose of clearing a ball or making use of the cross from a corner or free kick, a defender's heading skill must be at his best at all times. Left and right backs don't need such a high heading skill, but it's of utmost importance for central defenders who will be under constant fire from the opposing team’s long balls.

Goalkeepers – Goalkeepers'll rarely have to head, since they can use their hands to control high balls. However, there are situations where a goalkeeper is forced to use his head literally. One is when they're trying to deflect a ball from the edge of the penalty box and they're unsure whether or not you can catch the ball in their hands (they're unsure if they're in the penalty box, or if they're outside of it and risk a handball and a dangerous free kick).