Effective football training should include all elements of the game. In order to properly simulate real-life situations on the pitch, it is advisable to use specialised training equipment, such as free kick walls. What is a free kick wall and what is it used for? How can these types of accessories be used for football training?
WHAT ARE FREE KICK WALLS?
Free kick walls are football training accessories designed to simulate the presence of players on the pitch. They can be constructed in a variety of ways, but always depict figures of players of average stature. Usually such a wall consists of several elements that can be used together or separately. Each piece represents one player.
WHAT ARE FREE KICK WALLS FOR?
Free kick walls are used for football training. However, they can have multiple uses. Thanks to the fact that they imitate the players of the opposing team, they are even suitable for self-training. They can be used when practising different elements of the game.
The free kick wall is most often used when coaching free kicks, as it perfectly imitates the barrier created by the opposing team's players when performing this set piece on the pitch. In this way, it allows players to get familiar with a real-life match scenario and get used to taking a shot when a barrier obscures the goal.
However, free kick walls are also useful for improving attacking play, coordination or dribbling. The individual mannequins that make up the wall can be separated and positioned freely on the turf. An additional feature of these football training accessories is the ability to practice speed and reaction time. Free kick walls bounce the ball back to the player at different speeds and angles. In this way, players develop their alertness and reflexes – skills that are invaluable during any match!
FREE KICK WALL – HOW TO USE IT IN PRACTICE?
Are you looking for ways to use free kick walls during training? There are at least several ways to do this. The free kick wall can be used in:
• free kicks practice – set up a wall imitating the opposing team's players;
• target practice – individual elements of the wall can simulate the goalkeeper and defenders;
• training in attacking, passing and dribbling – for example, the exercise can consist of getting around the “players” making up the wall with the ball and then shoot at the goal or pass to another team member.
In fact, the creativity of the coach is the only limit! Importantly, the free kick walls are also great for individual or small group training.
FUNCTIONAL FREE KICK WALLS
Free kick walls are not only versatile but also convenient to use. They are placed in the desired position by setting them on the turf or driving them into the ground, depending on their type. Importantly, all free kick walls are designed to automatically return to an upright position after being hit with the ball, making them even more practical. They can be made of different materials. Nonetheless, they are always easy to carry. In addition, a wall transport trolley can be purchased to not only make it easier to move the wall from one place to another, but also to ensure that the “players” that make it up are aligned evenly.
HOW TO CHOOSE A FREE KICK WALL?
Free kick walls are selected based on several factors. The first one is size. Lower walls, adapted to the height of the players, are chosen for children's training. When training adults, the most commonly used ones are around 180 cm high, which represents the average football player. However, sometimes higher free kick walls are also used, e.g. with a height of around 205 cm, which represents the average football player when jumping. Thanks to this multitude of variants, it is possible to choose the training accessory perfectly suited to the needs of the exercise.
Another important thing is the construction of a free kick wall. Plastic walls, accurately depicting the silhouettes of the players, are very popular. They are installed by driving them into the ground, what causes some limitations. This is because they are only suitable for use on soft surfaces. Another solution is an inflatable free kick wall. It is three-dimensional, which can make a difference when learning to dribble or pass, for example. Furthermore, it simply needs to be placed on the pitch surface. This makes it also suitable for use on public pitches, in sports halls or pitches with artificial surface. By filling the base with water, such a wall is sufficiently heavy and stable.
FREE KICK WALLS – INDISPENSABLE ACCESSORIES FOR FOOTBALL TRAINING
Need variety in your trainings? Bet on versatile free kick walls. Their use is so wide that they will come in handy during any session. In our shop you will find inflatable and plastic free kick walls, as well as sturdy trolleys to carry them. All football training accessories are durable, practical and weatherproof. Be sure to check it out!