What Would Happen If Defending Teams Did Not Bother With A Wall For Free Kicks?
Cissy Fairfax
Posts: 11,801 Forum Member
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Purely for the top players, at the upper end of the P.L and the C.L, what would happen, if when facing a free kick 20/25 yards out, defending teams forgot about offside, the GK and either did not bother with a wall - or put it much closer to the goal?
There are at least 2 or 3 free kick goals every week, which would be headed away by a man on the inside post.
It seems a peculiar tactic, particularly late on in the match, when defending a goal, 30 yards out, not to put a defender within 20 yards of it. Yet in a normal game situation, with the ball in the same spot, no side defends with 7 players bunched together and rarely if ever will a goal come from it.
I can see the responses to putting defenders closer to the goal, eg as per a corner - being along the lines of "teams would just knock it into the attacker 12 yards out, who would bring it down, turn and score" - but would he? against the top defenders.
I have actually seen plenty of free kick goals, where the wall has probably aided the raker, rather than hindered him.
Remember, this is only to the top penalty takers, effectively with a 50% plus likelihhod of scoring. I don't think by occasionally, doing away with a wall against those, or defending closer to the goal would increase that chance at all.
There are at least 2 or 3 free kick goals every week, which would be headed away by a man on the inside post.
It seems a peculiar tactic, particularly late on in the match, when defending a goal, 30 yards out, not to put a defender within 20 yards of it. Yet in a normal game situation, with the ball in the same spot, no side defends with 7 players bunched together and rarely if ever will a goal come from it.
I can see the responses to putting defenders closer to the goal, eg as per a corner - being along the lines of "teams would just knock it into the attacker 12 yards out, who would bring it down, turn and score" - but would he? against the top defenders.
I have actually seen plenty of free kick goals, where the wall has probably aided the raker, rather than hindered him.
Remember, this is only to the top penalty takers, effectively with a 50% plus likelihhod of scoring. I don't think by occasionally, doing away with a wall against those, or defending closer to the goal would increase that chance at all.
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I would just once, like to see a wall along the goal line!
Just to see if anyone could get it in from there.
Although, in all seriousness, if the referee was to confirm beforehand that the free kick will be the last kick of the match, or that there was say 3 seconds to go say, as they do in rugby, then you would be more likely to keep the ball out with the wall on the line.
Happens lots, when an indirect free kick is awarded in the box
As already mentioned, Shearer scored one where there were 11 players on the line and possibly 1 or 2 of his own players as well.
Here you go:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gg8Ho56uic
That was against Georgia.
In this case in theory you would force the attacking team to have to shoot from around 30 yards, thereby eliminating the possibility of a cross as anybody in front of the ball would automatically be offside. Yes, it would essentially be a long-distance penalty, but without being unsighted from the wall and from a lot further out than a standard spot kick, the odds would be stacked far more in the keeper's favour.
If you positioned the defenders cleverly and had them poised to react straightaway you could also block off any chance of the taker playing a through ball for an attacker situated behind him to run onto.
Depends on how far out the kick is. If it's from a good 30-35 yards out then crossing the ball in could give the keeper the chance to run out and intercept. Similarly, if the ball's lofted too high, you give the defence time to set themselves and deal with the danger.
Sorry, I didnt make that clearer but I was talking about a free kick from 30 odd yards out, rather than 10, when it is near on impossible to pile drive it through and you have to place it.
Nevertheless, its an underrated goal from Shearer that and more skill than just shutting your eyes and smashing it.
In Law 13 it states all opponents must be at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball until it is in play
So, they wouldn't be allowed to stand a foot behind the dead ball.
I assume that clubs must have tested this scenario. and decided against it.
It would prevent the CBs marauding forward, and give them a huge advantage if the keeper catches and throws it immediately forward.
Because you could have opposition players standing on the line interfering with the goalkeeper's space or ready to tap it in if he makes a mistake. Walls do a good job usually if the keeper has set it up right.
Because you're giving the attacking team a much higher chance of scoring, which would far outweigh the fear of the goalkeeper launching a counter.
They would have to use less players attacking the corner, giving the keeper more room to come out and collect
Like with the other ideas, there's a reason it doesn't happen.