It depends on where your head is when you start. I don't have my head completely behind the ball with my wedges, but I don't move it forward when I swing with them.
As for the range thing, if it's all going wrong, what I do is work on wedges and getting alignment right, solid contact and a good tempo, taking a divot, releasing, etc. Sometimes, even a good 1/2 hour of chipping, followed by some 40 or 50 yard pitches (half swings). I may not even hit a seven iron until after doing the same routine the next time out, seems to settle things down for me. I know if I'm going out to play and have no time to really hit balls, I'll chip and pitch a bit. Works wonders.