Setting up a wall for a free kick

Virtually half the goals scored in the Premiere League are scored from set pieces: corners, throwings, free kicks etc. If we own the opponents at free kicks we win more matches. Simples!

The diagram above shows the keeper (red dot) lining up the wall. The second player in the wall is placed inline between the near post and the ball. It is important to place another player outside this line so the ball cannot be bent around the wall into the near post.

The number of players in the wall is determined by the position of the ball on the pitch. See the other post http://sru13.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/how-many-player-in-wall-at-free-kicks.html

Another very important player is lined up to stop the shot to the far post area. He may not be in contact with the wall depending on the position of the ball.

Hugo Lloris training session.

Practise does not make perfect, perfect practise makes perfect. Vincent Lombardi.

Defending against a long ball

Watch this video to see what we should do when the opposing team play a long ball into our half of the pitch. 

Main Points,

• One player goes to clear the ball with his head.
• He should be brave, shout his name to let everyone else know that he is going to attack it.
• He should head it at the highest point that he can reach it.
• He should aim to head it, high long and wide.
• Very Important - The other defenders protect the space behind him by closing up and positioning themselves between the header and our net.
• They should expect the ball to come to them and be ready to clear it.
• The keeper should be ready for the ball coming through to him.
• If our player wins the header and heads it back up the field we should move up the field and reform the back line.

Watch this video to see how Man City defended against Stokes constant aerial threat.

Goalkeeper one on one drill

Lots of information on team formations.

Hi Everyone,

This video is jammed packed with information on team formations and there advantages and disadvantages against other formations. What I would like you to notice from the video is:

1. Every player is involved in defending.
2. The side of the pitch that the ball is on is crowded with players.
3. The opposite side to the ball is left free.
4. The defence always has an extra player than the attacking team.
5. The defenders stay close together to deny the opponents time and space to pass.

It doesn't matter what formation we decide to use these principles apply in every case.

Goal Keeper Drills

Some great drills to improve your agility, diving and handling. Notice the intensity the drills are done at.

The Best Goal Keeper Saves Ever

Goal Keeping - Saving Shots From Close Range

Great Video on making close range shots.

Goal Keeper Training - How to Dive Without Hurting Yourself

This video is shows a great drill for practicing in the back garden on your own. This is the basis of the goal keeping dive. Practise this and you'll improve your diving skills a lot.

Goal Keeper - How to throw a football

Too many goal keepers throw the ball without any thought for the team mate that is receiving the ball. The Goal Keepers' throw should have the same quality as a kicked passed. It should be as low as possible and into the area in front of the team mate so that the team mate can play one or two touch football and set an attack going straight away without pressure from the opponents.

Watch this video on good throwing technique.

Setting up a wall at free kicks

Watch this video on setting a wall up to defend against free kicks.

In the Zone Drill

In the Zone Drill

• This drill will help us to create more shooting chances and score more goals. 
• It will also allow the goal keepers to practise one v one situations in real time, something they rarely get chance to do. 
• Midfielders will benefit from creative passing and perfecting the weight of the pass into the space for the striker to run onto.
• Strikers will get more practise in one v one situations.

Watch the video. See you tonight.

Starting an attack - keeper throwing to full back

Rather than the keeper kicking the ball and both teams fight for it, it is better to throw the ball out to one of the full backs and keep the ball for ourselves.

This short animation shows the movement involved. The full backs should make the run as soon as the keeper as caught the ball and as it under control.

The keeper should only pass to the full back if the full back has the space to receive it.

If the pass isn't on the full backs should come back into a more central position ready for the kick from the goal keeper.

Top Tips

1. Move to the line as quickly as possible. Opponents often stop playing and lose concentration when their attack breaks down. This is our opportunity to pounce.
2. Turn and face into the pitch, You can see everything that is happening then.
3. The keeper should throw the ball into the space just in front of the full back so that he only has to have one touch and is facing up the pitch. Ideally, he may play it first time.
4. The keepers throw should be as good as a pass from the feet.
5. The midfield player should recognise the play and move to a wide position to receive the pass from the full back.

Goal Keeper Starting Positions

Goal Keeping Footwork and One on One Defending

Positioning when marking a player

Your position is important when defending. A good defender will stand inline between his opponent and the center of the goal.

Has the attacker moves around, the defender adjusts his position to stay inline with the center of the goal.

Why is this a good position?

• It stops the attacker going the shortest route towards goal. He has to run around you.
• If a ball is played in the direction of the goal the defender has the shorter distance to run to get it.
• The defender is in a good position to put the attacker under pressure if the attacker gets the ball to his feet.
• The defender can see his opponent and everything thats happening in front of him.

Watch this tactics board video to see what i mean:

How many player in a wall at free kicks

It is the job of the goal keeper to say how many should be in the wall and to position the wall.

Keeper handling and throwing drill

Goal Keeper handling and footwork