Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Free Kicks

Screen 1

Free kick practice to begin session. 

Organisation

• Unopposed drill. Split players into 2 groups so have 4 players on side A facing a goal, 2 on left of goal and 2 on right of goal, roughly at the edge of area distance and the same on side B.
• Each pair of players has a ball. A player from the left has a shot, replicating a direct free but with no wall, then a player on the right takes a shot and keep alternating between left and right.
• Players will continue for a set amount of time then swap sides from left to right and right to left.

This part of the session will look at the mechanics of shooting:

1. Get your body in a position to strike
2. Angled approach
3. Non-kicking foot beside the ball
4. Head over the ball
5. Select Surface & Strike: E.g. Laces, Inside.
6. Follow through
7. Accuracy (and Aim)

Screen 3

Organisation

• Small sided game of 5 a side
• Game will focus on the topic of free kicks - A goal scored from a free kick will be rewarded with 2 goals. To create more free kicks instead of players fouling each other, the coach will award a free kick every minute or 2 minutes to the team who is nearest a goal in possession of the ball, the free kick must also be taken quickly to not slow down the intensity and flow of the game too much.

Key coaching points to consider will be mechanics of shooting, passing and heading in attack and defencewhich take place in free kick situations:
Shooting - 1. Get your body in a position to strike
2. Angled approach
3. Non-kicking foot beside the ball
4. Head over the ball
5. Select Surface & Strike: E.g. Laces, Inside.
6. Follow through
7. Accuracy (and Aim)

Short passing - 1. Look at target
2. Eye on ball
3. Angle of approach
4. Non-kicking foot alongside ball in a
comfortable position
5. Strike Centre of ball with inside /
outside of foot (Identified area of the ball)
6. Firm ankle
7. Follow through towards target

Header from free kick -

1. Eyes open
2. Head ball using forehead
3. Use neck & back muscles for power
4. Arms out for balance
5. Stay on toes

Attacking -

• Head top to middle of ball
• Go for accuracy

Defending -

• Head middle to bottom of ball
• Go for height and distance