Coaching Points: Ensure the players maintain a low center of gravity by keeping the knee of the
balancing leg bent. Also, make certain the upper body remains straight and the players avoid swaying
from side to side.
For the technical (heading) element of the drill, ensure to keep the eyes open and mouth closed, the neck
muscles firm, and make contact with the forehead. Arch the back and then drive the upper body forward
to generate power.
Variation: The exercise can be varied by or by changing the technical action to side-footed volleys or
one-touch passing.
Progression: The level of difficulty for this exercise can be increased in several ways: 1) have the player
balance on an unstable surface such as a balancing board or thick foam mat; 2) increasing the distance
between the players so that a more forceful header is required; or 3) touching a point on the ground after
each repetition.