Heading and Heeling: No Harm, No Foul

Everybody who starts roping has to decide whether he (or she) wants to be a header or a heeler. You can look at any of the top ropers in the world, and they can head and heel. They have their dominant end, but most can rope both ends competitively. In fact, some of the top ropers could switch ends if they wanted to, and have. Guys like Speedy Williams, Mark Simon, Trevor Brazile and J.D. Yates have made it to the Finals at both ends. Then there are the guys who’ve calf roped and team roped, like Joe Beaver, Trevor and Dee Pickett. In my eyes, you really can do it all if you’re a competitor, a horseman and pretty handy with a rope.

SHARE THIS STORY
CATEGORIES
TAGS
Related Articles
June_2025_NCWHM_1999.025.0973
My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Which Kind of Cowboy Are You?
Screenshot 2025-04-10 at 2.05
Old School
Classic* Moment: Derrick Begay, Clay Cooper Win The American in 2016
Speed Williams
GOAT
There's No Doubt: Speed Williams Viper was the Best [Ever] in the Thomas & Mack
Dec_24__NFR0502
stay the course
It’s Anybody’s Ballgame Now
closeup of 1988 California Rodeo Salinas trophy buckle
the long game
Handling the Longest Scores in Rodeo
The Team Roping Journal
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.