A free kick out wide is like a corner from a better angle, with one big difference: offside applies. Your runners line up level with their last defender, the delivery goes into the space between their defensive line and the keeper, and everyone attacks it together at the moment the ball is struck.
Step 1 of 3
Wide free kick. Our runners stand level with their last defender, never behind it.
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
Wide free kick. Our runners stand level with their last defender, never behind it.
On the strike they attack three spaces. The ball goes into the corridor between their line and the keeper.
Get across the defender and attack the ball. The edge player and rest defence are ready.
When to use it
Any free kick wide of the box in the attacking third. If the angle is tight or the delivery is hard, use a short free kick to create a better crossing position.
Coaching points
Runners line up level with their last defender, not behind it.
Deliver into the space between the defenders and the keeper: too close for the keeper, too far for defenders to attack.
Everyone attacks the ball on the strike, not before.
Stagger the runners so they arrive at different spaces.
Keep players back on the edge and near halfway.
With younger players
Practise the delivery with a target zone, and the runs with a coach's throw before adding the kick.
Who does what
Position
Their job
Taker
Whips it into the corridor between defence and keeper.
Runners
Start level with the last defender, attack near post, middle and far post.
Edge player
Waits for the clearance.
Rest defence
Three back.
When they change it
If they…
You…
They drop their line deep
Deliver to the penalty spot area where there's more space.
They push their line high
Runners hold a step behind and time their run; delivery in behind.
They put two in a wall
Go short to change the angle.
Common mistakes
Runners starting offside.
A delivery that the keeper can claim easily.
Everyone running to the same space.
At 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11
7v7
Fewer runners: two, plus one on the edge.
9v9
Three runners and one on the edge.
11v11
The board: four runners, one on the edge, three back.
