Match moments / Set pieces
A free kick near their box
A simple routine beats a hopeful shot: one rolls it, one shoots round the wall, one follows in for the rebound.
In the match
- Decision 1Number 10
- Decision 2Midfielder
- Decision 3Striker
You are 10, over the ball.
The wall blocks the near side. What do you do?
Play the build-up, then choose.
Best choice
Moving the ball sideways changes the angle. The wall is now in the wrong place, and the keeper has to move.
It can work
It is what the wall and keeper are set up for. It can go in, but the keeper has the far side covered.
Costly
Without a shot to follow, a short pass just lets the wall break and charge out.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 8.
It is rolled square to you. What now?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
First time, before the wall can turn. Round the end of the wall, the keeper is still moving.
It can work
The end of the wall is charging out. One touch gives them the moment they need.
Costly
The routine worked and the shot was on. Passing back gives the wall time to reset.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 9, by the far post.
The keeper pushes the shot out. What do you do?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
You were moving as the shot was hit, expecting a rebound. Strikers who follow in score these.
It can work
Their defender is also waiting, and they are closer. Rebounds go to whoever expected them.
Costly
Watching gives the keeper time to get up and gather it.
How you know it is happening
- A free kick to us around 20 to 30 metres out.
- They are building a wall.
- The keeper is standing on the far side.
Why it works
A wall and a keeper are set up for one shot from one spot. Moving the ball even a few metres sideways puts the wall in the wrong place and makes the keeper move. Then the follow-in turns half-saves into goals.
The tactics behind it
Your job, by position
- AMAttacking midfielder
- Over the ball: roll it square, firmly, into the shooter's stride.
- CMCentral midfielder
- Arrive as the ball rolls, and shoot first time.
- Aim round the end of the wall, low.
- WWinger and wide midfielder
- Run over the ball to make the wall jump or move.
- STStriker
- Start near the far post.
- Move as the shot is hit, expecting a rebound.
- CBCentre-back
- Two stay back, marking their fastest forwards.
How to explain it
- One routine, practised ten times, beats five routines practised once.
- Give it a name so the players can call it.
- Practise the follow-in every time you practise the shot.
On the training pitch
- On your ownStrike the cornersThe technique underneath it, with a ball and some space.
- The practiceFirst-time finishingThe 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
- Three cones for a wall. Score from the routine for two points, from the rebound for one.
Three things to say
- Roll it into the stride.
- First time, round the wall.
- Follow in.
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 follow in?
- Did the roll arrive in your stride?
What to look back on
- Did we use the routine, or did someone just shoot?