What Is Heading in Soccer? A Complete Guide
Heading is one of soccer's four fundamental skills — alongside passing, shooting, and dribbling. This guide covers what heading actually is, the different types, and where it fits in the modern game.
The short definition
A header in soccer is any deliberate strike of the ball with the head — almost always the flat forehead above the eyebrows. Players use headers to pass, shoot, clear defensive balls, and flick on long deliveries. Because the hands and arms are forbidden, the head is the only tool for controlling the ball above the shoulders.
Why heading exists in the modern game
Soccer is played on a huge field with regular long deliveries: corners, free kicks, goal kicks, throw-ins, and cross-field switches. Any ball travelling above chest height eventually has to be dealt with. Heading is what makes that possible. Even in the possession era, elite teams score 15 to 20 percent of goals from headed situations, and defensive headers regularly outnumber tackles as the primary way to break up attacks.
The three families of headers
1. Attacking headers
Downward strikes on goal from crosses, corners, and cut-backs. The target is almost always down and across the keeper — headers that hit the ground before the line are the hardest to save.
2. Defensive headers
Cleared with height, distance, and width. The order matters: the ball must go up (to reset the play), far (out of the danger zone), and wide (away from the middle of the pitch where re-attacks are easiest).
3. Flick-ons and passes
A glancing contact that redirects the ball rather than powering it. Used at near-post corners, on long goal kicks contested by a target forward, and in build-up when a midfielder rises to redirect a diagonal.
What separates good headers from great ones
- Timing — meeting the ball at the top of your jump, not on the way up or down.
- Neck strength — the head has to attack the ball, not the other way around.
- Body shape — chest and hips square to the target so the strike has direction.
- Anticipation — reading flight, spin, and the closest opponent before the ball arrives.
For the mechanics step by step, read our companion guide on how to head a soccer ball. For the tactics of contesting a ball with an opponent, see winning aerial duels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a header in soccer?
Any deliberate contact with the ball made by the head — most commonly the flat forehead just above the brow line. Accidental contact still counts as a touch under the laws of the game.
Is heading legal at all ages?
Yes for adults. Most federations restrict or ban deliberate heading in training and matches under age 12 due to concussion research; see our youth heading guidelines page for specifics.
Which part of the head do you use?
The flat, hard bone of the forehead — never the top of the head or the temple. Contact with the forehead protects the brain and lets you direct the ball accurately.
Why is heading important in soccer?
It is the primary way to contest crosses, long balls, corners, and set pieces. Roughly 15 to 20 percent of goals in top-tier football come from headers.