Considerations

• Is the free kick direct or indirect?
• Who instructs the wall? The Keeper, the man in the wall or a player behind the ball. Whoever does it do it as early as possibleWho is taking the free-kick? Do we know their capabilities, do they vary techniques or hit it with accuracy and pace. What are the options for the taker? Is there a possibility of a short pass or a clever pass around the wall?
• How many and which players are going in the wall?
• Do we want our tallest players in the wall? If so where? On the end or in line with the post.
• What is the position of the wall? If central do we line up to the left or right? Might depend on who takes it or counter attacking options.
• Do we have a charger? Does he come out of the wall or from a side angle? If he comes from the wall can the Keeper still see the ball?
• Where is the Keeper starting position in relation to the ball? Can he see the ball ? Do we have defenders in his way?
• What are the positions of the other players not in the wall? Do they man-man mark or mark space or both? Should they be in line with the wall or slightly behind?
• How does the wall stand? No flinching, stay in line and be square on. Take one step forward and move up onto their toes is the best way of making the wall as tall as possible. Don't jump up because the ball might go under the wall.
• Once the ball is played can we turn quickly for rebounds? We want quick reactions.
• Be aware of short passes behind and to the side of the wall and of crosses to the back post if we are outnumbered.

• Reaction of people nearest the ball. Players nearest ball get in front of the ball quick and then set up from there.
• Player 2 lines up the wall. He should be first to it and move backwards directly in line with the post. Who lines him up is your decision but after he is lined up he should take one large step outside of the post to prevent curlers.
• The biggest players should be in position 5 and 6. A right footer would normally curl the ball over to the near post, directly over where they are standing. If it is a left footer then 2 and 4 might be the tallest players.
• Player 11 prevents any clever play to the side of the wall and can be used as a charger. He should also have counter attacking responsibilities.
• Player 3 gets in a line with the back post incase they drive one.
• Player 7 is my charger at an angle to the ball. Encourage him to give the taker lots of eye contact and to be very brave.
• Rest of players are zonal markers. They should be slightly deeper than the wall so the can respond to rebounds.
• The goalkeeper should be just off centre so he can respond to the ball on either side. He must beable to see the ball through players 6 and 3 and should not guess where the ball is going to be played. Only move once the ball has been played. It is worth noting that the ball moves faster and is easier to curl today and that players have better shooting techniques. The goalkeeper must stay alert and not give the taker an easy option.

UEFA 'A' Licence