Fejelés

Fejelés is a term in Hungarian used to describe the act of striking a ball with the head, most commonly in association football (soccer). It refers to both the offensive action of heading the ball toward goal or a teammate, and to defensive clearances when players rise to meet aerial passes or crosses. In common usage it can also denote a headbutt against an opponent, which is generally penalized as a foul. Heading has been a feature of the sport since its early days.

Technical aspects of fejelés include using the forehead as the contact surface, keeping the body steady, and aiming for the center of the ball with a controlled neck and core movement. Players often jump to meet crosses, tuck the chin, and extend the neck to generate power, while eyes stay focused on the ball. The arms are used for balance, and the follow-through directs the ball.

Fejelés carries risk of head injury, especially in collisions or with repeated headers. Modern guidelines in various leagues emphasize proper technique, neck strengthening, and in some cases limitations on heading for youth players to reduce concussion risk. Protective equipment is not common in professional football, though research and rule changes continue to influence practice.

Etymology: fejelés derives from fej, head, with the verbal noun suffix -elés. While the term is predominantly used in football, similar actions exist in other ball sports, typically described in their own terminology. See also: heading (association football).