US Soccer guidelines limit heading before age 11-12. This is introductory heading at low volume and with soft balls. Beach-ball-style ball or oversized soft ball. Five reps per player, not twenty. Safe introduction to heading technique.

What you need: 1 soft ball per pair. 8 feet of space between partners.

Setup: Two kids 8 feet apart. One has the ball.

How to run it:

  1. Tosser underhands the ball to the header at forehead height.
  2. Header watches the ball come (See).
  3. Header keeps neck firm and eyes open.
  4. Header leans forward and heads the ball back to the tosser, using the forehead.
  5. Do 5 headers each, then switch roles.

What to watch: Is the header meeting the ball? Or letting it come to them passively?

If they’re struggling: Toss from closer distance. Use a softer ball.

If they’ve got it: Toss from 10 feet away. Increase the height of the toss.