HOW TO PASS FOOTBALL COACHING COURSES

Direct Free Kicks ,
in a Small Sided Game

Organisation
  1. Balls on the outside of the pitch and in both goals.
  2. Have some free play. After you have made your first coaching point let them play and let it come to a natural end. Let them walk back to the starting positions if this session is needed.
  3. When in free play get it sorted early.
  4. How do we try to work. 1, 2 or 3 players.
  5. Coaching formula. stop, demo, rehearsal, live.
  6. Logical progressions.
  7. Make your way of stopping play know

Make realistic stops and remember to balance the sides the free kicks are taken from (not all down on one side). You should stand around the ball, just behind or in line so you have a clear view of the picture. Do you want to put restrictions on the defending team e.g. they cannot tackle. Do you want to put conditions on the attacking team e.g. play the ball to the center forward as soon as possible. Let the play go for a while let them feel that they are in a game. Work on the ball, delivery, movement, away, next group of players, observation skills.
Think about who is your best dead ball specialist, who is the best dead ball team you have played against. Why are they the best? If they give the ball away cheaply they will be punished so concentrate.

Starting Position 1

A free kick in the mid third.
Put your hand on the ball, to show its not moving and so players around know that you are ready to take it. Take the kick as quickly as possible, don't let the opposition get back or into line if you can avoid it.

Starting Position 2

In a position where we can shoot on goal.

Players

  1. Right Footer. Curl the ball past the post and bring it back.
  2. Left footer. Curl the ball past the post and bring it back.
  3. Left or right foot
  4. Most skillful player in team
  5. In wall to block keepers vision
  6. Starts wide to give option and then comes in next to player 5.

  1. Anything around the box its hard to take quick free kicks. Someone will stand on the ball or the referee will want to make sure that the wall is 10 yards back or there may even be a pause for a booking on the challenge which caused the free kick. Put your hand on the ball and relax. First we have to sort out who are the best three to take the kick. How many players do we need around the ball? In this free kick its three players. One left footer, one right footer and a central taker of either foot. Do we need to sort out all the players out yet? All we need is the best shooters in place. Make sure they have communicated to each other who is going to take it.
    Let each player have a shot and then let play go.
  2. Once we have our three best kickers on the ball we can look at the whole picture. Look at the Keepers position and the players in the wall. How many are there in the wall? Look around the wall, over the wall and pick out the position you are going to hit. Make sure its on target or its wasted. Look for defenders are they set? are they just walking back into position? Look for gaps and make sure attackers are switched on.
    Let each player have a shot and then let play go.
  3. Do we need the centre backs to always come up if we are going to shoot on target?
    Work on variations
  4. Players variations
    1. Player 1 shoots first time with his right foot.
    2. Player 2 shoots first time with his left foot.
    3. Player 1 passes to player 2 a short sharp pass. Player 2 stops the ball dead for player 3 to shoot.
    4. Player 2 passes to player 1 a short sharp pass. Player 1 stops the ball dead for player 3 to shoot.
    5. Any of the three pass the ball into the channel for player 4 to run onto. Player 4 spins wide and shoots or crosses. One attacker must get to the near post and player 5 must get to the back post. I tell player 5 to talk to player 4 in the wall. "I'm standing here go to the back post!". He gives opposite movement and sprints into the channel. A hand signal should be given before executing this free kick.
    6. Play ball through legs for square player to run onto
    7. Play ball wide side for a shot around the wall- just needs a little roll
    8. Put players in the wall and around for rebounds, dummies or to block the Keepers vision.
    9. Who attacks the backpost, near post area or the penalty spot area. Look for rebounds and flick on's.
  5. Now look around the park. How many do we want back is 3 v 2?, OK, do you feel comfortable with 2 v 2? Make sure you have one behind and one in front of the attacker. Can the players taking the free kick lock in the area to regain possession, deflections or to act as cover.
Starting Position 3

In a wide position
How many players do we need around the ball, 1 or 2? If its an inswinger aim with lots of pace into the front of the six yard box, if everybody misses it then it goes in. Work on getting players in the near, middle and back post areas. If they put a zone marker between the ball and the near post, can we put a player in front of him. Get the attacker to step on the defender, don't give him a run to clear the ball. If there is no-one there then don't put someone in there. Can he roll the defender and get a turn in.

Central Position
The ball must come in flat, try only a short run up. Can you get it wide early?
Do they play counter attacking? If so can we get a player to block, obstruct the keeper?
What about substitutes, do they know what they are doing? do we need to change the kick?
If you have a good technician do you need elaborate free kicks?
What happens if you put a wall in front of their wall or next to it?

Key Points

  1. Organisation.
    What's my job? Know your job, space or man.
  2. Awareness
    Keepers position, players, defenders and wall.
  3. Delivery.
    You need a left/right footer who can deliver the ball where you want. At top level 8 times out of 10. Can they hit an area. Do we need an inswinger, outswinger, chipped into the near post or whipped in. Variation, pace and disguise.
  4. Attack the ball/Movement
    You have to have players to attack the ball. Any contact, be brave. Instructions, numbers, blocking. Look for knockdowns etc.
  5. Secondary ball.
    Can we regain possession and score?
    Can they and do they counter attack quickly? Obstruct the keeper and make sure players are switched on.
    Defenders at back, one behind and one in front.
  6. Be bright.
    Is it a quick free kick, are we taking our time?
    Look at the kickers decisions..
    Who's coming up, are the best header's in the best position?

 

Set Pieces
UEFA 'A' Licence