FIFA Heading tutorial

fifa heading tutorial

FIFA heading tutorial

Our FIFA heading tutorial will help you win more headers in defence and attack. With more players now challenging for ball winning the header depends on space timing and how good and strong your player is trying to head the ball. To win headers in FIFA you need to practice timing and use L2/LT when jumping. This buttom combination helps players battle for the ball.

Use the shoot button rather than pass if against another player in the air. Also try to look for players making runs and creating space for that early cross.

Here are the sections for Heading:

General defensive header tips in FIFA

As mentioned always hold LT/L2 and tap the shoot button when challenging to win a header. Otherwise press pass button when unchallenged and wanting to pass to a team mate. If one of your back 4 is going for a header from an attempted through ball always try to head the ball to the sides left or right. Not back up field. You will notice lots of headers end up going backwards towards your own goal so this method is more successful. This happens a lot from goal kicks too but is less dangerous if headed backwards.

General attacking header tips in FIFA

Similar to the defensive tips but the key thing for gaining power is to flick the left stick and hold it just as the ball hits the players head. Pull left stick away from goal for the header to stay high and towards goal to keep it lower. The timing of this determines the power so practice it lots.

Don’t forget hold L2/LT. This also happens to be the acrobatic finish button so depending on height of ball. Your player might try a scissor or diving header. They will only do the acrobatic finish if a bit of space and unchallenged.

Attacking corners in FIFA

This is firstly about choosing a good corner taker and then the delivery. In FIFA we advise selecting the player receiving the ball/cross using L1/LB. Keep pressing it until you get the player you want to control. Then move left stick to where you want the ball to go. Hold the cross button in that position and press cross for amount of power.

For delivery we recommend 3/4 power using cross button. As you are adding the power then hold the left stick in the direction you are kicking the ball to keep it lower and faster. Let go of the power button and the cross doesn’t happen yet. You now have control of the player you selected. Move him where you want and when ready press cross again to deliver the ball. As the player is about to challenge for the header hold L2/LT and flick the left stick towards goal. You can aim it towards any part of the goal so look at where the keeper is.

How to do downward header in FIFA

In FIFA downward headers are harder to do. This is because of the button changes EA made to make low shots harder back in older versions of FIFA. To perform a downward header or low shot you press L1+R1/LB+RB. These are still very effective and downward headers look good usually.

Look for the arm out in front

This is important as part of the FIFA scripting. Makes sense as humans do it too but sometimes can be a little too scripted. Once the player waiting for the pass puts his arm out in front hold early cross button and cross it! 9/10 times he will then win the header. Early cross button is usually left bumper (L1/LB) unless you changed it. Players crossing are far more acurate when that arm goes out so try using a 1-2 to make it happen too. Player knocks it wide using 1-2 pass and then rushes into box. Very good to use with a midfielder.

Positioning your player in FIFA

You can position any player receiving the ball holding both triggers (L2+R2 or LT+RT). Helpful throughout the game but especially for heading as without the ball at your feet you can move your player around. Put your player wherever you want to create space and use near post or far post cross. Takes some practice to master this as controlling a player using double trigger isn’t easy unless used to it.

As a rule we have change player set to air balls only playing single player or manual selection when multiplayer online. For a full example of this double trigger movement check our page on secret skills – https://fifaaddiction.com/skills/secret-skills

Scoring crosses with headers in FIFA

Even if your player is behind the defender this works well. Hold the amount of power on the cross depending if wanting near, middle or deep cross. Roughly 1/4, 1/2 or 3/4 power. Let go of the power button but keep hold of the left stick in that direction until the ball is on its way just approaching the edge of the area. As the ball is coming towards the player do the following early (rather than waiting until ball is near your player). Hold L2/Lt and tap shoot holding the left stick towards goal. Don’t be frightened to do this early as you will see your striker leap early through the air to win the ball.


Our video on defending crosses which shows a good technique for winning headers using the skills above.


Heading tips for FIFA:

  1. Create space ready to jump
  2. Learn how to time the jump
  3. Use LT/L2 button to help challenge in the air
  4. Use the shoot button to win clearing headers
  5. Try use players with strength and taller than 6ft
  6. Practice different types of headers




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