What's the trick to planting Marigolds?

I want to be ahead of the game for next year on my marigolds. I planted them from seed last year, but they all got very tall and now look like Marigold shrubs. Is there a way to make them so they stay a little lower? I've heard of a term 'pinching them back' before they bloom? How would I do that? Is that done by pulling off the first flower head? Thanx UBC!