Wall Pass Kick

Objective

• -Practise short free kick combinations
• -Use a quick lay-off and return pass
• -Create a shooting or crossing lane

Setup

1. 1Set a free kick spot 20 yards from goal or a target cone.
2. 2Place a small wall of cones or passive players about 10 yards away.
3. 3Start takers, a lay-off player and a runner on marked cones.
4. 4Use spare balls with the coach behind the start point.

How to play

1. 1The taker passes into the lay-off player rather than shooting first time.
2. 2The lay-off player sets the ball into space for the runner.
3. 3The runner takes the next action, either shooting or crossing.
4. 4Add a passive wall first, then make it live.
5. 5Swap the roles after each attempt.

Progressions

• +Switch To Score: two switches before scoring
• +Five Second Counter-Press: three seconds to win it back
• +Target Zone Bonus: only goals started from a pocket count
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Switch To Score: switch earns a bonus point rather than being compulsory
• -Five Second Counter-Press: eight seconds and fewer opponents
• -Target Zone Bonus: widen the pocket zones
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Switch To Score — A goal only counts after the ball has been switched from one side of the pitch to the other.
• -Five Second Counter-Press — On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
• -Target Zone Bonus — Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.
• -Overload Rotation — One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
• -Restart Realism — All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
• -Two-Goal Decision — Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
• -Limited Touch Build-Up — Maximum three touches in your own half, unlimited once you pass the halfway line.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Too much speed in the lay-off
• -Stopping after the first pass
• -Crowding the same lane