Match moments / Set pieces
Defend a free kick
The wall covers the near side, the keeper covers the far side, and someone has to mark the runner who is waiting for a square pass. Then, once the keeper has it, we break.
In the match
- Decision 1Holding mid
- Decision 2Keeper
- Decision 3Full-back
You are 6, not in the wall.
Their runner is waiting at the end of the wall. What is your job?
Play the build-up, then choose.
Best choice
The wall stops the shot. You stop the square pass. Now the taker has only the hardest option left.
It can work
A bigger wall, but the runner is free. They roll it square and shoot round it.
Costly
Watching the ball leaves the runner free to dart in for a close-range chance.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are our goalkeeper.
The shot is coming round the wall to your side. What do you do?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
You were on the far side with a clear view, so you saw it all the way. Body behind the ball, and no rebound for their runners.
It can work
Safe from a goal, but it lands near the edge of the box for their runners.
Costly
Behind the wall you can lose sight of the ball. That is why you stand where you can see it.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 2, our right-back.
The keeper has caught it. Their players are all in our box. What do you do?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
Their team pushed up for the free kick. A quick throw to a full-back running wide starts a counter before they get back.
It can work
Right if the coach wants it calm. But with nobody showing, the keeper has to kick it long.
Costly
By the time you are free, their team is back in shape and the chance has gone.
How you know it is happening
- A free kick to them within 30 metres of our goal.
- The keeper calls the number in the wall.
- Their spare players line up near the wall.
Why it works
The wall and keeper split the goal between them: the wall the near side, the keeper the far side, where they can see the ball. The danger is the short pass that moves the ball, so someone must mark the runner. And when the keeper catches it, their team is pushed up: the best time to counter.
The tactics behind it
Your job, by position
- GKGoalkeeper
- Set the wall from your near post, then step to the far side.
- Stand where you can see the ball, not behind the wall.
- Catch with your body behind the ball.
- DMHolding midfielder
- Mark the runner at the end of the wall, goal side.
- STStriker
- Stand in the wall; do not turn your back.
- Then sprint out for the counter.
- FBFull-back and wing-back
- Mark your runner, goal side.
- When the keeper has it, sprint wide.
- CBCentre-back
- Mark the most dangerous runner.
- Clear the second ball high and wide.
How to explain it
- Let the keeper decide the number in the wall, and practise lining it up quickly.
- Name the player who always marks the runner.
- At younger ages walls are smaller: keep it to two or three.
On the training pitch
- On your ownNeeds a friend or the teamIt is about reading other players, so there is no honest way to practise it alone.
- The practiceGoalkeeper handlingThe same decision, over and over, with a little pressure.
- The gameShoot and saveA small-sided game set up so the moment keeps happening.
Set the game up so it keeps happening
- Ten free kicks against: points for a catch, a block, and a counter within ten seconds.
Three things to say
- Wall near side, keeper far side.
- Mark the runner.
- Catch, then go.
On Saturday
Tick them off on the day. Nothing is saved: print the page if you want to keep it.
After the whistle
Ask yourself
- Did you know your job before the kick?
What to look back on
- Did the runner ever get free?
- Did we counter after catching it?