Free kick variation I

The attacking team is positioned at the edge of the penalty area. The drill is practised on one half of the field toward one goal. The right midfielder H positions himself on the half-left for the free kick. The balls are with him. The two forwards are positioned in the penalty area between the penalty spot and the edge of the penalty area at the same height. The right centre back C stands centrally and slightly offset behind the two forwards. The left centre back B and the right-centre midfielder G are placed at the edge of the penalty area, slightly to the right of the penalty arc. The right wide midfielder E is positioned in the central back area, and player A moves into the back area behind player H. The fullbacks D and the left-centre midfielder F are placed at the halfway line. Player/Position legend: Base formation GK = Goalkeeper A = Left fullback B = Left centre back C = Right centre back D = Right fullback E = Left wide midfielder F = Left-centre midfielder G = Right-centre midfielder H = Right wide midfielder I = Left forward J = Right forward

Player H strikes the ball with his right foot sharply and with spin, like a half-high or high free kick shot toward the far corner (far post) or toward the near corner (near post). With player H's backswing, the attacking players start moving. Forward I and forward J cross toward the near post and toward the goalkeeper respectively. Forward I does not only run toward the goalkeeper; he also has the option of running toward the free kick taker to execute a quick or short free kick. Player C sprints to the near post, B runs toward the goal area and penalty spot, and player G toward the far post. The right wide midfielder E is positioned in the central back area, and player A moves into the back area behind player H with the options of overlapping to deliver a cross or, after receiving a back pass, switching play to the other side. The fullbacks D and the left-centre midfielder F are placed at the halfway line. After each free kick, the original positions are resumed and the next round starts. Start without defenders to develop automatisms. Later, practise with defenders and of course from both sides.