Direct Free Kicks Over the Wall
Players take direct free kicks from 20–22 m over a wall of mannequins, aiming for the goalkeeper's far corner or the near side over the wall.
- Age
- U13–Senior
- Players
- 4–10
- Duration
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Intensity
- Low
- Area
- 25 × 30 m
- Type
- Technical
- Approach
- Intermediate
- Format
- Circuit
- Objectives
- Technical: Finishing, Goalkeeping
- Tactical: Set pieces
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:ShootingShot-stopping
- Tactical:Set-piece routines
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Goalkeeper
- Shot
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
- Mannequin
Direct free kicks are won in many matches but rarely practised. Two techniques are trained: the curled shot over the wall towards the far corner and the driven shot over the near end of the wall. The goalkeeper practises setting the wall and positioning.
Objective
Strike a direct free kick over the wall and on target with curl or power.
Organisation
- Four mannequins as a wall 9 m from the ball (or 7 m for younger players). Ball positions at 20–22 m, central and to each side. Goalkeeper in goal.
How it works
- Each player takes 3 free kicks from each position.
- The goalkeeper calls the number of mannequins and their position before the series.
- Point for every goal; half a point for a shot on target.
Coaching points
- Curl: approach at an angle, strike with the inside of the foot below the centre, follow through across the body.
- Driven: laces through the middle, body over the ball.
- Pick your target before the run-up.
Progressions
- Add a defender who charges from the wall when the kicker touches the ball.
- Indirect option: short pass and shot.
Regressions
- Lower wall (two mannequins) or shorter distance.
Variations
- Free kicks from wide positions as crosses or shots.
Key principles
- Pick the target, then strike.
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