Continuing with set plays for defending, this post explores the technique for defence against penalty kicks and free kicks. It is interesting to note that most matches are decided in some way by set plays, because 35-40% of the scoring is usually through free kicks, penalty kicks, corner kicks, throw-ins. If you defend these well, there’s a much lower chance of conceding a goal to the opposing team.

Defending Penalty Kicks

We begin with penalty kick practice for the goalkeeper to defend. A few important pointers to keep in mind here. Ensure your body language as a keeper is positive and confident, and maintain constant eye contact with the attacker. This simple action will disturb the concentration of the attacker and there’s a higher chance he will kick outside the goal and waste the opportunity.

Being dynamic on-field is also equally important. You can keep moving a bit from side to side, ready to dive either way and clear the ball. Some keepers already decide before the shot as to which side they will dive. It’s a calculated move, as opposed to others who are prepared to defend on either side. Whichever be the approach you choose, it’s advisable to wait till the last minute and decide which side to defend according to your prediction regarding the ball trajectory.

Defending Free Kicks

Next, we progress to defending free kicks, starting with direct free kicks. To set up a defensive wall, ensure the defenders are arranged in descending order of height from right to left. The right-most defender should turn around, communicate with the keeper and align the wall properly before turning back to face the attacker. This is standard practice as far as defensive walls in football are concerned.

The keeper should be alert and focused on the attacker, trying to judge which direction he is going to shoot. By waiting and reacting to the shot just in time, there’s a much better chance of being able to thwart the goal. Stay in motion (to the left and right, using your arms to stretch in both directions) in order to put pressure on the attacker.

Pay attention to the role of defenders and the goalkeeper in set plays, as described in this post. Practise the movements on the field to make a real difference during a game, by saving crucial goals. In the next post, we move on to set plays for attacking, with a focus on corner kicks and long throw-ins. Keep reading and learning.