The Offside Trap on Free Kicks
The offside trap can be used as a defensive strategy for free kicks conceded in the wide midfield positions.
This tactic must be rehearsed in training to ensure that all players understand their role completely.
The Signal: One player is assigned the duty of deciding when to use the offside trap. The signal is a"raised hand". When the players hand is raised ALL players must be alert to executing the trap.
Positioning: Defensive players line up as close as possible to the attackers on the edge of the penalty area.
Their feet must be in the sprint position (one foot behind the other, as apposed to an open stance). In this position players are in the ready position to sprint without having to take a step back.
One midfielder player is positioned 15 yards from the kicker to pressure any short free kick that may be taken.
Two players are positioned several yards in front of the defenders and must be alert to track back into the penalty area incase a mistake is made by one of the defenders playing a forward onside.
Time to sprint out: ALL defensive players must watch the player taking the free kick. The exact time to sprint
out is when the player taking the free kick drops his head and starts his approach to the ball. The timing of the "sprint" is vital to the success of the trap. Generally a player taking a free kick will position the ball approximately
2-3 yards in front of them. They will then look up to access the situation in the penalty. After they make their decision, their head will drop and focus will be on the ball on their approach to kicking the ball. It is at that exact moment that their head drops and on the split second they start their approach run to the ball that the defenders MUST SPRINT OUT.
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