Heading & Aerial Ball Control Soccer Drills for Kids

When we think of skill development in youth soccer, we often focus on skills such as dribbling, passing, and shooting. 

However, one of the more challenging and often under-practiced areas is aerial control, particularly in heading. 

Introducing heading and aerial-ball drills safely and progressively can give young players a significant technical and tactical edge.

Below are age-appropriate drills and key coaching tips to help your players improve their aerial control and heading technique.

Why Work on Aerial Ball Control?

• Game Realism: Many matches feature long balls, crosses, goal kicks, and aerial duels. If kids can’t control or compete in the air, they miss opportunities.
• Spatial Awareness: Working with balls that come from above helps players understand trajectory, timing, positioning, and body balance.
• Physical & Technical Development: While heading needs to be introduced carefully, mastering chest control, thigh control, and soft volleys builds confidence for later stages.

Safety & Age Guidelines

• For players under ~11, avoid hard, powerful heading. Focus more on light heading, directional contact, and using other body parts (such as the chest and thigh) to take the aerial ball down.
• Always use softer, lighter balls in the introductory stages (e.g., size three or age-appropriate softballs).
• Progress gradually. Only when technique, neck strength, spatial awareness, and maturity are at a safe level should you increase intensity.

Drill Progression: From Ground to Air

Here’s a progression that coaches can use during training sessions:

1. Wall / Partner Soft Loft & Receive

• Setup: Partner or coach gently lofts the ball (not too high) about 3–5 meters away.
• Action: The child receives the ball with chest or thigh, cushioning the impact and bringing it under control. After settling, they pass it back or dribble.
• Focus: body alignment, watching the ball, soft absorption.

2. Controlled Aerial Toss & Heading to Target

• Setup: Use a soft ball or volley trainer. Set up a low target (e.g. a cone, small net, or marked spot) ~4–6 meters away and slightly elevated (e.g. a bit above head height).
• Action: Coach or partner tosses the ball lightly; the kid jumps or steps in and heads the ball to the target.
• Focus: timing, direction (aiming rather than power), and snap technique (neck + upper back).

3. Alternating Head & Thigh Control

• Setup: Partners stand ~5 meters apart, aligned.
• Action: The partner serves a ball in the air; the first player controls it with the thigh, and the second with the head. Then reverse.
• Variation: After control, require one touch pass, dribble, or pass back.
• Focus: switching body parts, controlling unpredictable trajectory, and footwork to set up the control.

4. Triangle Aerial Control Game

• Setup: Form a small triangle (3 players) with sides measuring approximately 4–6 meters each. A fourth player stands in the middle as the “server.”
  Action: The server lofts the ball to one of the triangle players. That player must control (with chest, thigh, or head) and redirect (via pass) to a teammate. The ball stays in the air if possible.
• Progression: Add a second ball simultaneously. Increase height gradually.

5. Cross & Finish with Aerial Control

• Setup: Use the penalty area or wide zone. Have a winger or coach loft crosses in.
  Action: The attacking player receives with a heading or chest, or thigh control, then finishes (shot or redirect). Defenders or passive pressure can be added.
• Focus: movement off the shoulder, timing of runs, connecting control to finishing.

Coaching Cues & Tips

• “Eyes on the ball till the last moment”: Many mistakes happen when players look away early.
• “Soft cushion, don’t stiff-arm”: Use the body’s flexibility to absorb impact.
• “Meet the ball, don’t let it meet you”: Step or adjust so your contact point optimizes control.
• Neck snap only when confident: Avoid overemphasis on heading power; emphasize technique first.
• Encourage body shape adjustment: Lean slightly back before redirecting downward or forward.
• Balance & core strength: Include exercises that strengthen the neck, core, and upper back to support safe heading later.

Sample 30-Minute Session Outline (Ages 11–13)

Time	Drill / Activity	Focus
0–5 min	Warm-up with dynamic movement, jumping, and light passing	Activate legs, neck, and coordination
5–10 min	Wall loft & receive	Soft control with chest/thigh
10–15 min	Toss & target heading	Directional heading, timing
15–20 min	Alternating head/thigh control	Transition between body parts
20–25 min	Triangle aerial control game	Fast decisions, aerial passing
25–30 min	Cross & finish	Combine control + attacking execution

Final Thoughts

At Mississauga Soccer Academy, our goal is to help each player grow into a confident, skillful, and versatile soccer athlete, one who can dominate both on the ground and in the air.Contact us today to learn more about our programs, tryouts, and development pathways.