Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending Free-kicks (7-Aside set up for Defending Central and Wide set-pieces) (Start Time: 2021-02-04 11:45:00)

Pro-Club: Aberdeen FC

Matthew Mackie

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Guide for 7-aside Academy teams for Setting Up to Defend Central Free-kicks

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Set up/Organisation/Description:

This is a general rule of thumb for how many players to be used in the wall should the free kick be taken within the boundary shown (For 7-aside fixtures)
May be adapted based on distance from goal, set up of opponent set piece takers and strengths of opponent set-piece takers
i.e. in the zone where you have 1 player in the wall, you would likely increase to 2 players should the opposition have 2 players standing over the ball to prevent a quick free-kick creating a 2v1 overload

Coaching points/learning objectives

This should be agreed upon pre-game by coaches and players in to allow role clarity and early set-up should a free-kick be conceeded
GK communicate with player on outside of wall (commanding and organisation)
No turning backs/ jumping in wall- step forward and up on toes to present the body and increase chance of blocking
No gaps in main wall
Tallest players in wall in zone 2 and 3

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3 players in main wall if close range
Remaining players pick up man for man
1 attacking player stays high to pin opposition defenders and act as outlet for counterattack (Depending on scenario- may have to drop back i.e. if opposition overload or if defending a lead near end of game). Player on side of ball as clearance more likely to drop in this side of pitch to win second ball

Coaching points/learning objectives

Within 3 man wall player #4 would act as charger. Red#5 can become 2nd charger. Second charger to line up between line of ball and back post
If blue #5 rolls short to blue #4, red #4 becomes live as charger. If ball played across to blue #7 then red#5 is charger (Ready on balls of feet to accelerate (Emphasise importance of triple extension and acceleration mechanics))
If ball played wide to blue #6, red #6 engages 1v1 and red #2 covers across from wall to create 2v1 and prevent pass back to blue #5. This leaves red #3,#4 and #5 in a 3v2 defensive overload against blue#4 and #7
Wall should not jump or twist- Step forward and onto toes to increase body surface area in front of ball path (Tallest players in wall)
Wall covers 1 step outside width of post to prevent striker curling outside and in towards goal
Players focussed and alert to quick free kick played to second shooter or played wide; GK positioned slightly from line and moves in relation to any quick free-kicks
Red #7 may need to track any late runs from deep i.e. blue #3 and #2
GK covers opposite side of wall. If free-kick is straight down the middle of the wall then the GK decides which side wall is to cover (Choice based on side he would prefer to dive to, preferred foot of shooter or weather conditions i.e. wind)
May reduce from 3 to 2 or even 1 in wall if free-kick being taken from longer range (GK preference)

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Set up/Organisation/Description:

1 or 2 man wall depending on number of opposition players stood over the ball (Prevent 2v1 attacking overload). If opposition only have 1 player standing over the wall use the second wall player (red #2) to mark blue #7 man for man
3 players zonally defending cross (Red #3,#4#5)
Striker stays high to pin back opposition defenders and act as outlet for counterattack (Depending on scenario- may have to drop back i.e. if opposition overload or if defending a lead near end of game). Player on side of ball as clearance more likely to drop in this side of pitch to win second ball

Coaching Points/ Learning Objectives:

GK may prefer 2 man wall for protection, particularly if shooter is striking an in-swinger to near post. This is GK preference and acceptable if GK desires
In 2 man wall red #2 would act as charger if blue play short to #7
3 zonal defenders (red #3,#5,#4) open up arms and tough tight to prevent any opposition runs through the gaps
GK starting in aggressive starting position if possible and makes decision early to drop and deepen for reaction time or to affect cross
GK decision making on catch/ punch- Is it a crowded area? Pace of ball? Runners in bound?
Ready to react on defensive rebounds if ball drops in dangerous area

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