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.

Make attacking runs

Watch this video for advice on making runs into the channels.

Attackers are the first line of defence

Barcelona - Not bad at defending either.

Watch this video to see how quickly Barcelona try to win the ball back once they loose it. They call it the 6 second rule.

Watch the video at the 20 second mark. See how they loose the ball but but every single player quickly runs to make the team compact and tight together so that the opponents cant pass through them.

Also, notice how the player on line between their goal and the ball goes to pressure the ball to stop the ball being passed forward and slow the opponent down, and how many times it's a Barcelona player further up the pitch that comes back to pinch the ball.

Working as a team means we win the ball back quicker.

Winning the ball back quicker means less goals against us and more chances to score.

Less goals against and more scoring chances means more wins.