For somewhat sharp angles, 2-3 players will be in the wall. If the kick is being taken centrally, e.g. the ball is placed so that it is clear of both goalposts, then the team will want to put 4-5 players in the wall. However, all of the players should NOT be placed in the wall, because it is necessary to mark the off-ball opponents who are standing to the sides. As a result, especially on dangerous central kicks, the forwards will need to drop back to help defend. Often, it is helpful to have a forward stand 10 yards on the far side of the wall to help the keeper to decide on both the placement and composition of the wall by communicating with hand signals.
Free kicks are either direct or indirect .
An indirect kick can result in a goal only if touched by someone besides the kicker before it goes in the net. Refs will signal when a kick is indirect by holding one arm straight up in the air. This is important to the attackers in terms of how to set up the kick, and also is important to the defenders in terms of who to mark and what to look for. Some teams at the youth level will try to aim direct kicks at the heads of the players in the wall, in the expectation that the wall players will duck. Some coaches also may instruct their kickers to kick hard shots right at the wall on the first free kick, in the hopes that the wall players will move away on the next occasion.