Soccer Free Kicks - Strategy and Tips

The game situation or your philosophy will dictate how you use restart. If you encourage an up tempo passing game, or your team has momentum with the opposition reeling, you should look to play free kicks quickly and keep the pace of the game flowing. If you are fatiguing against the ropes, you may take a few seconds and get your team in order before taking a free kick.

Attacking

Attacking free kicks in a position to shoot on goal are the most celebrated aspect of set piece. Players like David Beckham and Roberto Carlos became renowned for their ability to score from free kicks, and excitement went through the crowd and attacking team whenever a free kick was awarded in a dangerous position. Below are some examples of outstanding free kick goals;

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Developing the ability to score from free kicks will make you a very valuable asset to your team. Not only does the opposition need to be concerned after a free kick is awarded, knowing your team can punish fouls may put doubt into the minds of defenders when your team is in possession around the 18 yard area. Doubt may lead to hesitancy for fear of fouling, and create missed tacles.

Direct

Direct free kicks allow you to shoot on goal from the stationary ball. Ask the referee if you are unsure whether a free kick is direct or not. Judge the position of the goalkeeper and the defensive wall before you take your free kick. The following factors may impact the type of free kick you wish to take;

• Is there a gap between the defensive wall and the goal post? This would allow a driven shot inside the goal post, otherwise you will need to lift a shot over the wall.
• Is the goalkeeper leaving one side of the goal more open? Goalkeepers often stand off to one side and leave a side more open. Take note that very rarely do goalkeepers do this without realizing. If a goalkeeper leaves one side open it is because the goalkeeper prefers to dive to that side and believes it to be his strongest. It will still take a quality shot to get the ball over the wall, back down under the crossbar and beat the goalkeeper.
• Distance from goal. Free kicks right on the 18 yard line are very difficult to get power on. To lift the ball over the defensive wall and back down on time will require a lighter touch and more focus on lift and curl than power. A kick 23 yards out or so will allow you to put more power into a shot on goal.

Indirect

Indirect free kicks require a different approach as the first player to touch the ball may not directly kick the ball into the goal. Indirect free kicks can be awarded outside the penalty area, or also inside of the penalty area if the goalkeeper picks up a back pass. A simple way to take an indirect free kick is for two players to stand over the ball, one player taps the ball for the second player to shoot. This method is demonstrated below, you can also see in this video the delicate touch required to lift a ball from short range into the goal;

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Indirect free kicks in shooting range can also be a dangerous opportunity to cross the ball. The double threat of a cross or shot will put doubt into the mind of the goalkeeper. It is a good idea to have runners begin at the back post, and make their runs across the front of the goalkeeper, obstructing his sight line. A cross or back post shot can be dangerous and even the slightest touch by a runner can direct the ball past the goalkeeper. The runs across the sight line of a goalkeeper is a good idea even if the intent is to shoot, however, ensure all runners stay onside.

Action Plan

• Practice free kicks 2 to 3 times a week, stay behind after practice if you need to, or arrive early.
• Practice driven, chipped and bending shots. Do 20 repetitions of each.
• Practice free kicks from central position, outside the left goal post, and outside the right goal post.
• Put a target in the corners of the goal. Hang a shirt from the crossbar in the corner and aim to hit it, this is the area a goalkeeper will find very difficult to reach.Designed using Coachfx

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