Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending Free Kick Central (one player over ther ball)

Screen 1

This is the way I set up on a free kick from a central area with one player over the ball

Heres the roles and responsibilities of every player within the team .

Goalkeeper: Starting on other side of the wall in a position where he can see the ball

Role: He firstly, will let the team know how many players he wants in the wall, then line the ball up with player number 8. He would do this by standing on his right hand post and getting the player to be directly in line with the ball and the post. ( As shown in screen 3.) The take up his position as above.

Responsibilities: He will be responsible for any shot on his side of the goal. He will also be in a position to cover any free kick in the other corner as this would have to be a loft free kick with hopefully less pace on the ball.

Player 2 : Starting down the side of the wall .

Role: He is in a position to stop any ball being played down the side of the wall. (he position is dependant on the opposition set up. .This player would ideally be the right back as its his natural position.

Responsibilities: He is firstly responsible to stop anything played down the side of the wall, but also to react and cover his side should there be any rebounds or second balls on thta side of the goal.

Player 4 : Starting as first man in the wall.

Role: To be first man in the wall, he should be one of the first players to get there are he would normally be a central midfielder. His position is outside of the post as shown.

Responsibilities: He is responsible in stopping the free kick being bent around the wall into the near post. He is also,like the rest of the wall asked to stand tall and make himself look big.

Player 5 : Starting second man in the wall.

Role: His role is to line the wall up, usually by facing the goalkeeper and moving the players in wall accordingly

Responsibilities: He is responsible for getting the wall in the correct position, and also standing tall.

Player 11: Starting third man in the wall:

Role: His role is to stand along side both player8 and player 7, also standing tall and leaving no gaps between the players.

Responsibilities: He is responsible for getting in the wall (if the goalkeeper needs that main bodies). All players in the wall are responsible for getting the wall together and making it look as big as possible.

Player 7 : Starting forth man in the wall:

Role: Forth man in the wall, he should listen to the goalkeepers call to see whether he is needed.

Responsibilities: He is responsible for the end of the wall (nearest the centre of goal) Like the other four players he will be asked to stand tall make the wall as big as possible and be brave.

Player 10: Starting as the charger to close the ball down :

Role: His role is to close the ball down (Charging) . The line of his run is in line with the far post and leaving a gap for the goalkeeper to see the ball (around arms length from the wall. This player is to be willing to close down and be brave.

Responsibilities: He is responsible for closing the ball, and alos by coming down the line of the far post, making the goal look even smaller. He will also be in a position to affect the ball if the taker looks to play a square pass.

Player 5: Starting in box cantral to goal.

Role: He is central to the goal and around 16 yards from goal making the opposition player. ( Ideally the right centre back)

Responsibilities: He is responsible for marking incase a ball is played short, and also to follow in any second balls or knock downs.

Screen 3

This shows player 8 being directly in line with the ball and the post.

Screen 5

This shows player 9 starting on the ball to stop the free kick being taken quickly. ( careful not to get booked)