16/04/2025
Over the course of the last week, there’s been some amazing goals scored from free kicks and I want to focus on a couple from a Goalkeepers perspective, asking if the GK can do more to influence this. The overriding question I’d encourage GKs to consider is: “what do I want my wall to do in this situation?”
Declan Rice: Arsenal vs Real Madrid
The first goal last week was an amazing finish, but I’d question whether the wall was set up to achieve one of it’s main aims: to influence the taker to go where the GK wants him to go? Looking at the image, the wall I think did two things wrong. Firstly, looks like the shorter players are covering the near post with the tallest covering the middle. Secondly, the wall only just covers outside the post. To me this encourages the taker to consider going near post, and gives the GK more to think about.
Personally, I’d advise GKs set up walls at least 1 player outside of the near post and their tallest players there. This shows a bigger barrier at the near post and encourages the taker to go where the GK is covering.
Leighton Clarkson: Aberdeen vs Rangers
This was an interesting one I think. While a really good freekick and I like that the wall’s set up with tallest covering near post, I’d question whether the use of the wall in this situation actually impeded the GK here given the free kick is further out and wider?
Personally, I think the wall in this instance benefitted the taker. The distance and angle meant that a wall didn’t stop him being able to get the ball up and down at pace. It also stopped the GK being able to see the ball being hit and reduced his reaction time to move across and make the save.
In this instance, I think the wall actually hindered the GK.
One question I’d always ask as a GK: If the wall wasn’t there and it was a free hit, would the striker score or GK save? If it’s the latter, why are you having one?
In training we see players hitting a shot from distance all the time, the majority of these are easy saves for the GK. The greater distance and wider angle I think gives a taker more opportunity to consider going up and down from there. I’d ask GKs to question whether having a wall in this situation makes the GK’s job harder? If a GK chose not to set a wall, would the taker be more or less keen to shoot from there, or would they more likely cross?
Lots of questions there and lots to think about. Overall though, as a GK you’ve got a really useful tool available by being able to set up a wall, but think carefully about what you want that wall to do, whether it helps you influence the taker to benefit you, and whether overall it helps or hinders you in any specific situation.
