Set Pieces
Delivering accurate set pieces, running purposeful routes and winning the ball in the box
⏳ 60 minutes · 5 activities
1
Delivery Warm-Up
Passing and crossing warm-up to get delivery technique sharp before set piece work.
Setup
- Two lines 20 yards apart, one ball between two
- One player plays a driven pass along the ground; receiver controls and plays back
- After 3 minutes, switch to lofted passes to work aerial delivery
How to Play
- Focus on accuracy, not power - hit the target consistently
- Receiver gives a clear target with their hand before the ball is played
- Alternate feet - one pass with the right, one with the left
Rules
- Progress: add a cross from wide - passer drives to the corner flag area and crosses to a target
- Target must make a run to lose their marker before the ball arrives
1
Plant foot pointed toward your target, not toward the ball2
Strike through the middle of the ball for a driven pass, below the middle for a lifted ball3
Follow-through in the direction you want the ball to go2
Corner & Free Kick Patterns
Rehearse two attacking corner routines and a short free kick pattern.
Setup
- Full-size goal with a goalkeeper
- Corner flag set up on both sides
- Split players: 2 takers, 4-5 runners, 2 defenders to give realistic opposition
How to Play
- Routine A (inswinger corner): near post runner peels away, far post runner arrives late - taker swings to far post
- Routine B (short corner): taker plays short to teammate, receives it back, crosses low to near post
- Free kick routine: two players over the ball, one dummies, the other plays a low driven shot around the wall
Progressions
- Walk through each routine first, then half-pace, then full speed
- Add a full defensive wall and an extra defender for the free kick
- Let players suggest a variation of their own to try
1
Runners must time their run - arrive too early and you're marked, too late and the ball has gone2
Attack the ball at the highest point - get in front of the defender, not behind them3
Taker: pick your spot before you walk up, then commit to it3
Set Piece Game
Game where every stoppage becomes a set piece situation - practise under match conditions.
Setup
- 40x30 yard pitch with two full-size goals and goalkeepers
- 5v5 plus GKs
- Every foul, out of play or offside restarts as a set piece - no kick-ins, only free kicks, corners or throw-ins
How to Play
- Normal game, but every restart is a proper set piece with everyone in position
- Defending team must set a wall (minimum two players) for any free kick
- Teams use their rehearsed routines - no random hoofing
Key Focus
- Award two points for a goal scored directly from a set piece
- Progress: allow two free kick specialists per team to be designated and called on for big moments
1
Defensive wall: get to the wall quickly and hold the line until the ball is played2
Attacking runners: stay onside until the ball is kicked3
GK: organise the wall first, then position yourself for the ball not covered by the wall4
Free Play
Open game - see whether the set piece habits appear naturally.
Setup
- Full pitch, standard goals with goalkeepers
- Even teams
- Normal rules including corners, free kicks and throw-ins
How to Play
- Standard football rules, all restarts taken properly
- No coaching from the sideline
Coach role: Watch specifically how players approach corners and free kicks. Are they taking a moment to set up or just blasting and hoping? Note it for the review.
5
Stretch & Review
Stretches and a review on what made the set pieces work today.
Stretches
- Players in a circle, seated on the ground
- Calf stretch, hip flexor, chest and shoulder stretch - 30 seconds each
Q1. Which set piece routine felt most natural today - and why do you think it worked?
Q2. What makes a set piece dangerous - is it the delivery, the run, or something else?
Q3. Before our next match, what's one thing we'll agree as a team to do at every corner?