Defending Free Kicks: Wall and Markers
The goalkeeper sets a wall for free kicks from different positions while the other defenders mark runners. Attackers try direct shots and short routines.
- Age
- U13–Senior
- Players
- 8–14
- Duration
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Intensity
- Low
- Area
- 30 × 35 m
- Type
- Tactical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Waves
- Objectives
- Technical: Goalkeeping
- Tactical: Set pieces, Defensive organisation
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:Goalkeeper positioning
- Tactical:Set-piece routinesMarking
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Goalkeeper
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Shot
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
A free kick is defended by a plan: the goalkeeper decides the number of players in the wall, one player lines it up with the near post, and the rest mark attackers or the danger zone. Repeating it from several positions makes the organisation automatic and fast.
Objective
Organise the wall and the markers quickly and defend direct and indirect free kicks.
Organisation
- Free kick positions 18–25 m from goal, central and wide. Goalkeeper, wall players and markers in bibs; attackers with a kicker and two runners.
How it works
- Coach places the ball; the defending team has 10 seconds to organise.
- Attackers choose a direct shot or a short routine.
- 8 free kicks from different positions; swap attackers and defenders.
Coaching points
- Goalkeeper calls the number in the wall and stands where the shot over the wall can be seen.
- Wall: the tallest player outside lines up with the near post; jump only when the kicker strikes.
- Markers: goal-side of your runner, react to the short pass.
Progressions
- Attackers add a dummy run over the ball.
Regressions
- Only direct free kicks.
Variations
- Wide free kicks defended zonally.
Key principles
- Organised in 10 seconds.
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