Why this free kick results in a goal

By David Clarke

When a free kick is given just outside the penalty area, the opposition often spends time arranging its wall while your attackers do the same. But how often do your players stand around and argue about who will take it and then just kick it harmlessly to the opponent?

Teams can make excellent tactical use of the set-piece situation. Your attackers can get into their positions and put what you have practised on the training ground into action.

This means telling your players to practise their shooting technique around a wall and also as a group where different routines are carried out. If you do it enough times in training, your players will be able to do it in a match. And they love trying out different moves just like they see on the TV.

How it works

• In the diagram, the free kick taker passes the ball to his team mate, who has created space by moving off the defence.

• Your winger breaks off the wall and makes a run behind the defence. He receives the ball from the edge of the area.
• Tell your winger to cross low and hard into the six-yard area.
• Instruct players to run in to capitalise if the goalkeeper parries the ball into their path.