Tactics / Set pieces

Free kick around the box

A simple low routine: one player runs over the ball, another rolls it square, and a third shoots round the end of the wall.

Set piecesFrom 9v9Match moment: A free kick near their box

9.15 M10879GK
  • Us
  • Them
  • Pass
  • Run
  • Dribble

Why it works

A wall blocks one angle. Moving the ball a couple of metres sideways changes the angle, and the keeper has been watching the wrong player.

What players do

  • Three players: a dummy runner, a roller and a shooter.
  • The dummy runs over the ball as if to shoot.
  • The roll is short and soft, square, away from the wall.
  • The shot goes low, first time, before the wall can move across.

Common mistakes

  • The roll is too far, so the wall can close it down.
  • The dummy runner is too slow, so nobody believes it.
  • Shooting over the bar because the ball was still rolling away.

With young players

Opponents must be 9.15 m away in 11v11 (and 7 yards, about 6.4 m, in 9v9 in many leagues). Keep the routine short: three players, two touches.

Drawn on a 105 × 68 m pitch, showing the part where it happens. Orange attacks left to right and the other team is in blue; numbers are the usual shirt numbers for each position.

Put it into your own team's plan in the team builder, and see what it asks of each player.

Next: Defending free kicks

What it asks of each player

The same idea, from every line of the team. Set it up for your own team in the team builder.

  • GK
    Goalkeeper
    • Organise the players left back for the counter.
    • Stand at the halfway line if you can.

    Position guide: Goalkeeper

  • DEF
    Defenders
    • Two stay back in case it is cleared.
    • Mark their quickest forwards.

    Position guide: Centre-back · Full-back

  • MID
    Midfielders
    • One rolls, one dummies.
    • One rolls it square, one runs over the ball.
    • Make the dummy look real.

    Position guide: Holding midfielder · Central midfielder · Attacking midfielder

  • ATT
    Forwards
    • Shooter: arrive late and hit it first time.
    • Aim round the end of the wall.

    Position guide: Winger · Striker

Practices that train it

Start with the first, and build up to the game.