Create your own Session Planns with stunning 3D in minutes Hundreds of soccer sessions in a searchable database Compile ready-made drills into your own session in seconds Adapt ready-made drills to make a customised session in moments Post on your website, e-mail to friends, link to non-Members, view on your phone Sport Session Planner: for a low yearly subscription, click here to join!

Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Heading Drill (Younger Age Groups)

Club Logo

FAW Coach Ed

Johnathan Batten

Profile Summary

Johnathan Batten
Name: Johnathan Batten
City: Caernarfon
Country: United Kingdom
Membership: Adult Member
Sport: Football/Soccer
Build 3D sessions in seconds
Access to 1000’s of sessions
Professionalise and modernise your coaching
Used by the world’s best coaches
US$
75
per year
Join today

Description

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Technical

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Technical
Save Image: Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Technical Create Video:

Technical (20 mins)

Organisation:

The area needs to be big enough to allow the players to have enough personal space to increase their throws etc.

We need each partnership to have their own ball but also have spares available if required.

This can be used for any number of players as long as we have a even number.

The Session

  • The feeder (red) feeds the ball to the player (blue) who heads the ball back to the feeders arms. 10 complete headers and the gap becomes slightly bigger (meaning a harder header is required).
  • It is important that the player communicates with the feeder before receiving the ball. 
  • After 2 minutes, change around.
  • Once the technique is to a good standard move onto defensive headers etc

Technique

  • Eyes on the ball
  • Mouth Closed
  • Body position - feet position
  • Point of contact on the head
  • Point of contact on the ball
  • Communication with the feeder.

Progressions:

  • 10 headers and then increase the gap.
  • Attacking Header - Down header towards feeders feet.
  • Defensive header - Over the feeder.
  • Jumping to head the ball.

Regression

  • Decrease the gap if needed
  • Concentrate on one type of header until technique is suitable to move on.
Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Tactical

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Tactical
Save Image: Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Tactical Create Video:

Tactical (20 mins)

Organisation

  • Area size 30 x 30
  • 2 Cones approximately 10 yards apart in the middle of the pitch as shown.
  • Players working in pairs (Colours from technical element not a factor here). 4 corner feeders, attackers, 2 defenders, 2 keepers)
  • 12/16 balls (3/4 in each corner)

Drill

Can be used to work on both attacking and defending headers.

  • Attackers complete 2 sets from each side and then rotate 'stations'
  • Defenders / are passive to begin with
  • Play commences with attacker 'peeling off'' around the cones and attacking a goal.
  • Attacker calls for the feeder to throw the ball in and the attacker attempts to score a headed goal.
  • Once the attacker has headed the ball he returns to his starting point and continues in the same goal until 4 sets have been completed.
  • Rotate until everyone has completed all 5 (2 feeders, 1 attack, 1 defend, 1 goalkeeper).

Tactical

  • Eyes on the ball
  • Movement towards the ball, think about the defender and goal
  • Communication with the feeder - Front of the defender, behind the defender
  • Attacking header - Jump if required

Progression/Regression

  • Start with no Defender and bring one in once the skill is achieved.
  • Regression can take place by removing the goalkeeper. 
  • Instead of working on both sides, concentrate on perfecting the stronger side if needed.
  • If struggling just concentrate the session onto either attacking or a defending element.

Coach

The coach can walk between the two sets, we need to remember to concentrate on the attacking header but also give pointers to the defenders header.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Small Sided Game

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Small Sided Game
Save Image: Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Small Sided Game Create Video:

Small Sided Game (20 mins)

Organisation:

  • Size set up to meet requirements of age group
  • Split the players into two equal teams (red/blue) (player in purple just for instruction purpose's / would be red)
  • Two goalkeepers required
  • Balls to be placed around the pitch to allow continuous play

The Game

  • Teams can score with feet however scoring by heading the ball into opponent’s goal equals 5 goals
  • Players can pass the ball into wide areas, the player in the wide area (purple) will be allowed to cross unopposed 
  • Only one player at a time con be in the wide area
  • If ball leaves the pitch, game is restarted with kick-in on the sides and corners as normal.
  • If required crossers (purple) can throw the ball across goal (better for younger ages)

Considerations:

  • As described in the technical elements
  • Read the flight of the ball
  • Time run onto the ball  
  • Attack the ball

Progressions:

1) Players can dribble into the wide areas and can be unopposed.

2) Remove the wide areas meaning players can be opposed.

Build 3D sessions in seconds
Access to 1000’s of sessions
Professionalise and modernise your coaching
Used by the world’s best coaches
US$
75
per year
Join today

© Copyright 2026 Sport Session Planner Ltd.

Animation Controls (PCs, Macs, Laptops):

Play animation
Play step-by-step
Repeat (toggle)
Full Screen
Pause
Stop

Back/Forward: Drag timeline button