GK LB RB DM LCB RCB LCM RCM ST LW RW ‹ ▶ Play Step 1 of 4 ›
Free kick just outside the box. Two over the ball, one by their wall, runners either side.
Drawn for 11v11 4-3-3. Pick your own format and shape and every step is redrawn for your players. Then present it or send it to your team.
Step by step Free kick just outside the box. Two over the ball, one by their wall, runners either side. The first player runs over the ball. The keeper and wall have to wait. The second strikes around the wall as our player by the wall peels away. Runners follow in. If the keeper parries it, we're first to the rebound. When to use it Free kicks in front of goal from roughly the edge of the box to 25 metres out.
Coaching points Two players over the ball. The keeper has to wait to see who shoots. One player stands next to their wall to block the keeper's view, then peels away. Aim low if the wall jumps; over or around it if not. Runners follow every shot in for the rebound. Have a lay-off option: a short pass sideways to a shooter with a clear sight of goal. With younger players Encourage shots on target. A save is a rebound chance for team-mates following in.
Who does what Position Their job Shooter Picks a side and strikes. Dummy runner Runs over the ball to freeze the keeper and wall. Player by the wall Blocks the keeper's view, then follows in. Rebound runners Follow in on both sides of the wall. Rest defence Two or three stay back.
When they change it If they… You… Their wall jumps every time Shoot under it. Their keeper cheats towards the far post Shoot over the wall to the near side. They don't block the lay-off Roll it sideways to a shooter outside the wall.
Common mistakes Nobody following in for rebounds. Shooting at the wall from too far out, when a lay-off was on. Taking ages to set up, giving the keeper time to organise. At 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11
7v7 Smaller wall, closer goal. A low hard shot is often best.
9v9 A wall of two or three. Dummy runs work well.
11v11 The board: two over the ball, one by the wall, two following in. Drills to practise it Questions coaches ask How close can our players stand to their wall? Under the Laws of the Game, when a defending team has a wall of three or more, attackers must be at least one metre from it.
Should we shoot or pass? Depends on distance and your shooter. Inside about 22 metres a shot on target is a good chance; further out, a lay-off can create a better angle.
Can you score directly from a free kick? From a direct free kick, yes. From an indirect free kick, the ball must touch another player first.
More tactics boards ← All tactics boards · Formations · Drills
