The Defensive Wall.

[Iffy's Onion Bhaji]

if the wall wasn't needed it wouldn't be used.there is no written law that states walls should be created when defending free kicks,they are used because they work.

Unless of course players decide they want to run off in oppiste directions like yesterday. Shocking defending that was.

[Batch]

But with a wall the keeper cannot see the ball or the flight,,,he is completly guessing.

That's not true most of the time is it. He doesn't stand behind the wall.

Fact is when the ball is hit with pace and power he can't cover the whole goal.

[Arriba]

exactly Batch.The wall is to cover the area of the goal the free kick taker can't see.If a player gets it over the wall and into the goal then the credit has to go to the goalscorer.Having a free shot with no wall would be insane.

[glos_robin]

Personally i use a 30 yard rule, anything around roughly around that distance I don't use a wall although that said if up against a free kick taker who is really able to smash it I will stick 1 or 2 in front of him just to stop or discourage a direct smash at goal.
Anything within 30 yards I'd definitely have a wall as it will offer some protection.

[thedarkprince]

If anyone saw the Nottm Forest free kick from last week you'd agree that for some very special free-kicks it does not make the slightest difference if there's a wall there or not.

[thedarkprince]

Also... who's to say the keeper would have a better sight of the ball anyway?  Presumably those blokes in the wall would simply defend in and around the box and, as they wouldn't be stationary, could distract the keeper.

[Benzel]

The problem with the defensive wall yesterday is that it did little in the way of defending, much like if it wasn't there at all... If they'd stood firm the ball would've been cleared.

I don't think that's a good idea generally. Gotta keep the wall.

[scott]

our wall didnt protect our goal from a shite free kick simple as that really - must do better - definatly something to work on the training ground - i think the timing of it is what hurt us most go in 1-0 half time its a different game

[bassett boy]

our wall didnt protect our goal from a shite free kick simple as that really - must do better - definatly something to work on the training ground - i think the timing of it is what hurt us most go in 1-0 half time its a different game

Totally agree that was the gippo's only chance of the first half 10 seconds later the whistle went for half time what a difference a good wall would have made  so keep the wall

[blah blah]

exactly Batch.The wall is to cover the area of the goal the free kick taker can't see.If a player gets it over the wall and into the goal then the credit has to go to the goalscorer.Having a free shot with no wall would be insane.

Totally agree with this, but how often do you see a goalie move to the "wrong" side of the goal (ie behind the wall) just as the kick is being taken because he thinks thats where its going to go ? Can see both sides of the argument here, would be interesting to see a team try it !

[RobertT]

Maybe some innovation is required, given free kick takers have adjusted the approach they take in recent years.  I'd go with a couple of players either side to force the free kick taker to go straight down the middle.  To go either side you'd be relying on a lot of curve bringing the ball back in.  Current trends are for players to get the ball up and over without much bend, this way the keeper would have a view of the straight shot and being able to see the ball could adjust if it did manage to curve outwards at all.

Of course, forwards could then adapt and block the view, making it seem like an entire goal width of a wall.

The real thing that baffles me, is why attacking teams are not more inventive rather than just having straight shots.  if a team commits players to a wall, you must have spare players you can use to cause confusion across the full width of the box.  I'd imagine the % of direct shots that actually go in is very small, so you are not losing much - the Argentina one against us in 98 is a prime example.

[leefer]

Put a keeper in goal say Cech,Reina who ever.........get Drogba,Rooney who ever to take free kicks at them without a wall say in training..........from 25 yards or further i would back the keeper to save most of the shots however hard they are hit.
As i have said you need a wall inside the box or maybe right on the edge.....further out than that i wouldn't bother.

[Samdy Gray]

Hahaha, I'll have some of whatever you're on leefer.

If you let Drogba have a free shot at any keeper from 25 yards he'd score more than the keep could even get a finger to.

[leefer]

Hahaha, I'll have some of whatever you're on leefer.

If you let Drogba have a free shot at any keeper from 25 yards he'd score more than the keep could even get a finger to.

No chance.....its not me and you in goal bud.

[nochee]

Leefer, Any thoughts as to why every manager and defence in every team DO put a wall in front of goal when a free kick against them is in striking range?