Football · Heading · Defending

Defensive headers and clearances

Defenders step in front of an attacker to head a served ball high, far and wide into target zones.

SDAGK
Start / 4
Time
10 min
Players
4–10
Age
U13+
Area
Penalty area plus 25 m
Equipment
1 full-size goal6 light size 4 balls8 cones

Setup

  1. Check your local heading guidelines first; keep it to 5 headers per player in the session.
  2. Use a light, size-appropriate ball. A defender stands in the box with a passive attacker beside them.
  3. A server 20 m out. Mark two wide target zones, one either side, 15–20 m from goal.

How it runs

  1. The server lofts the ball toward the defender, by hand at first, then with a short kick.
  2. The defender steps across the attacker and heads it high and wide toward a target zone.
  3. A clearance landing in a target zone scores a point. Swap defender and attacker after 4 headers each.

Coaching points

  • Eyes open; watch the ball onto your forehead.
  • Get your body in front of the attacker before the ball arrives.
  • Head through the bottom half of the ball to send it high.
  • Aim wide, away from the middle of the pitch.

Common mistakes

  • Waiting for the ball instead of stepping to meet it.
  • Heading it back into the middle where the danger is.
  • Closing the eyes or ducking out of the header.

Say it: “Step in front. High, far and wide.”

Make it harder

  • The attacker competes for the ball.
  • Serve from wider angles, like a cross.

Make it easier

  • Serve gently by hand from 8 m.
  • No attacker; just head it out to the target zone.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.