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Header is a technique that is used in association football to control the ball using the head to pass, shoot or clear. This can be done by standing, jumping or diving position. Header is a common technique and players are used in almost every match.
In general, a Forward uses a header to score a goal while a defender usually use a header to prevent the scoring of a goal by the opponent. A header is the only option when the ball is in air, because of the rule that a player can't make contact with the ball using their hands. Most header goals are scored as a result of a cross or a corner. The playmaker passes the ball across the goal in the air, and the attacking player (either standing jumping or diving position) strikes the ball with his head.
Footballers such as Fernando Torres, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Javier Hernandez, Sergio Ramos and Abby Wambach are players who are notable for their quality headers.
Health risks
As with other high-impact sports such as boxing and American football, concerns over player safety, due to the impact from both from the weight of the ball and colliding with other players, U.S. Soccer has taken actions in "eliminating heading for children 10 and under, and limiting the amount of heading in practice for children between the ages of 11 and 13."