Wide Free Kick: Delivery and Timed Runs
Free kicks from the side of the box: the kicker whips the ball between the defensive line and the goalkeeper while three runners attack the near post, the centre and the far post.
- Age
- U15–Senior
- Players
- 10–16
- Duration
- 18 min
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Intensity
- Medium
- Area
- 30 × 45 m
- Type
- Tactical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Waves
- Objectives
- Technical: Crossing, Finishing
- Tactical: Set pieces
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:CrossingHeading
- Tactical:Set-piece routinesAttacking the box
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Goalkeeper
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Shot
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
Wide free kicks are one of the most frequent set plays. The delivery must land in the space between defenders and goalkeeper, and the runners start from deep so they arrive at speed. Defenders play zonal or man-to-man as the coach decides, so attackers face both.
Objective
Deliver a free kick into the danger zone and arrive with timed runs to finish it.
Organisation
- Free kick position 20 m from the byline, near the side of the box. Three attackers and three defenders lined up 18–20 m from goal; goalkeeper in goal.
How it works
- The kicker raises an arm to start the runs.
- Runners attack three zones: near post, penalty spot, far post.
- Defenders try to clear; a clearance to the coach at the edge of the box is a point.
- Alternate sides; 6 kicks per side.
Coaching points
- Kicker: whip the ball with pace, landing between 6 and 11 m from goal.
- Runners: start together from deep, accelerate late, attack the ball.
- Do not all run to the same zone.
Progressions
- Add a fourth runner arriving at the edge of the box for second balls.
- Defenders hold a high line.
Regressions
- Defenders passive; work on delivery and runs only.
Variations
- Low driven delivery to the near post for a flick.
Key principles
- Delivery in the danger zone, runs at speed.
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