Distribution - opportunities from a long goal kick - FIFA Training Centre

The long ball is more than a last resort. If used well, a goal kick played beyond the last defender can unlock a series of tactical benefits.

Demands on goalkeepers have evolved significantly over the last decade, perhaps more so than for any other position. Changes to the backpass rule mean that goalkeepers must now be comfortable with the ball at both feet and be able to distribute it while under pressure.

Variety in distribution is also extremely important, as goalkeepers need to be able to identify space for their team-mates to receive the ball and execute a wide range of passes over differing distances, using various techniques.

The distribution framework

There are numerous ways of starting the play from a goal kick. The FIFA Goalkeeping Expert Group's Distribution Framework breaks down the different froms of passes into five general categories:

1. Play around and support (green zone) - goal kicks played short in the team's own defensive third of the pitch facilitate build-ups that fall into the 'play around and support' category.

2. Play through (yellow zone) - depending on the nature of the opposing team's press, there may be opportunities for the goalkeeper to 'play through' the opposition’s highest line into a central area.

3. Play into (orange zone) - the goalkeeper may recognise that a high-pressing opponent has left space behind the first line of their press and may have the option to clip balls over this line so they can 'play into' team-mates who have found space between opposition lines 2+3.

4. Play onto (red zone) - similarly, a high-pressing team may also have a deep defensive line, leaving space between their defenders and midfielders. In this situation, there are opportunities for longer passes to 'play onto' forward players who occupy this area.

5. Play beyond (blue zone) - finally, if a team is pressing very high with all lines connected, which means that their defensive line is also high, the goalkeeper can 'play beyond' the opposition’s last line with a long ball.

PLAYING BEYOND TO EXPOSE THE SPACE IN BEHIND

When we examine the impact of a long goal kick, it can pose a challenge for the opposition team when they want to press high. For a team to press high, but also protect against a long goal kick, they have to concede space somewhere on the pitch.

During the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021™, Palmeiras goalkeeper Weverton's range of passing stood out. If his team was building from the back, he could initiate short passing moves, but if there was an opportunity to quickly penetrate the space in behind the opposition's defensive line, he could execute impressive long balls to release his forward players early.

Weverton spots Rony's run and quickly delivers a long pass in behind Chelsea's high line.

In the final against Chelsea, Weverton's team defended in a low block, but he was always alert to opportunities to release his fast, attacking team-mates to expose the space in behind Chelsea's high line.

By playing beyond the high Chelsea line and into the run of Rony, Weverton's long ball penetrates deep into the space behind the Blues, putting them on the back foot.

HOW A LONG GOAL KICK FORCES CONCESSION OF SPACE ELSEWHERE

Weverton has an exceptionally long kick off the ground and, as a result, this sometimes forces the last line of the opposition's defence to drop deeper into their own half to prevent long passes going into the space beyond them.

With the opposition's back line having dropped deeper into their own half (to deal with the long goal kick), Weverton recognises that space has opened up directly in front of and between the opposition lines to play short and into wide areas.

The Brazilian goalkeeper also recognises these moments and plays short to his centre-backs, encouraging them to play forward and capitalising on the space that has opened up between the opposition lines due to the deeper last line.

After recognising the opposition's dropped defensive line, Weverton plays short to his defender.

Again, Weverton recognises the opponent's dropped defensive line and plays short.