Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending Freekicks- Conditioned Games Session

Conditioned Games: Defending Freekicks

Technical Practice:

• Work on defensive set-up for opposition central free kicks (Use guide created)
• Work on defensive set-up for opposition wide free-kicks (Use guide created)
• All players should be aware of their role and understand why this role has been assigned to them
• Spend 15-20 minutes working on defensive set up for central and wide free-kicks through repetitive practice
• This will allow coaches and players to agree on any necessary adjustments prior to entering live game-play

Conditioned Game 1 Central Free-kicks: Rugby Rules

• 7v7 game
  
• If a team scores then their reward is an attacking free kick within the final third (red line marked in diagram). This should be taken in line horizontally from where the goal scoring shot was taken from; like a rugby team having the opportunity to convert a goal kick after scoring a try
• Conceeding team have to quickly organise and set-up to defend free-kick
• This game will likely result in central free-kicks due to most shots being taken within width of the box

Conditioned Game 2: Wide-Freekicks Rugby Rules

• 7v7 game
• Game played in style of tag rugby
• If team 1 conceed possession in the game then opposition (team 2) return the ball. Team 1 stop, put hand on ball and resume play with a pass. If a team conceeds possession 3 times they must turnover possession to the opposition (meaning they have 3 phases to score); the opposition start play with an attacking free kick on the red line forcing team 1 to quickly organise and set up to defend set-piece.
• Goal or shot hit over/wide result in goal kick

• Sheet with QR Codes will be available for coaches and players to quickly scan and watch famous goals to replicate in this game i.e. James Maddison V Rangers
• Game commences with an attacking free-kick (replicating a famous free-kick that has been scored i.e. Leigh Griffiths V England
• Play will continue based on outcome of free kick i.e. goal kick/ centre/ corner/ open play
• If a goal is scored, the scoring team can pick another famous free kick to replicate and try and score a second goal (instead of conceeding team having centre)

Progression(s)

• Use Red, Blue and White lines as shown in diagram. Each game can be differentiated by allowing to choose free-kick location. A goal in the red zone=1, blue zone=2, white zone=3
• For coaching points- see defensive free-kicks set up diagrams