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**Unregistered** · 10-16-2014, 11:36 AM

200?! I tend to agree that the point of your pitch count reference is more applicable than something like shooting free throws.

I don't think there's a magic number, but there's certainly a point of diminishing returns where the technical gains are lost with fatigue. Whatever the number of repetitions ends up being, if the player isn't making technical corrections, it's nothing more than a physical exercise and a poorly used opportunity to improve.

**Unregistered** · 10-16-2014, 12:10 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

My son wants to practice his free kick on his own.

As a baseball player, I wonder if free kick practice has something similar to the baseball pitch count? It does not seem healthy to kick the ball fiercely 200 times per session, does it?

I did some search and could not find the answer. Any coaches here have any insight?

Make sure he warms up properly, maybe with a little passing, and starts off with less than full power kicks. Different people can handle different work loads. Some people never have problems. Others can get hip flexor issues or shin splints if they overdo kicking. He should stop as soon as something starts to bother him. If everything goes OK, I'd do maybe 50 serious kicks during the first session. If all goes well, start increasing the number by maybe 25 each following session (maybe 2 days apart). Depending upon age, if he is actually doing this for free kick practice, the kicks probably should not be max power anyway, since swerve and placement are usually more important than pure power.

**Unregistered** · 10-16-2014, 12:28 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

My son wants to practice his free kick on his own.

As a baseball player, I wonder if free kick practice has something similar to the baseball pitch count? It does not seem healthy to kick the ball fiercely 200 times per session, does it?

I did some search and could not find the answer. Any coaches here have any insight?

Keep it simple. When he says he is tired, have him stop

**Unregistered** · 10-16-2014, 01:11 PM

Thanks guys. very helpful. OP

**Unregistered** · 10-16-2014, 02:24 PM

My son does them often, but never in the amount of 200. He plays DAP.

Free kicks come down to ball control and muscle memory. The posters are correct that if you get to the point you are tired you will do a disservice to your muscle memory. Warming up is hugely important and nothing drives me more nuts than seeing kids get right to the filed and start shooting on net. Great way to pull something.

Best of luck and awesome your child is practicing on his/her own. They will be rewarded for it.

**Unregistered** · 10-16-2014, 02:30 PM

What age is your son?

If U15 and older and his other skills are elite level I have no problem with a player trying to get better at striking a still ball. If he is U14 and younger and/or does not have elite level skills he should be focusing on developing skills that he will actually use during a game. He would get more out of doing AST, cone dribbling, juggling, receiving balls out of the air and etc than practicing free kicks. This is also a problem with most coaches who from a young age work on set pieces, especially corner kicks, instead of basic skills. I have coached all age groups and I do not have any trainng time set a side for set pieces until U15. It is usually only 30 minutes and maybe done every couple of months. He will win more games with building his other skills than taking free kicks.