Set pieces are an important part of a successful team and when you are developing your players they need the ability to take a set piece in their locker.
Most young players can’t crash and smash the ball like their heroes can. They don’t have the power to kick the ball so hard that it bends in two or three different directions over 25 or 30 yards. They need something a bit more creative.
This is why I inspire my players to experiment with different ways of taking set pieces, so that they don’t have to rely on power or bending the ball into the corner. I get them to use their skills, movement and a bit of deceit to help them get a shot on target from a dead ball situation.
Whether it’s free-kicks, throw-ins, goalkicks, kick offs or corners you’ll find something here to inspire your team.
in Blog, Set pieces
shouting from the touchline is one of the downsides of being a coach in the grassroots game. I like to think I have educated the parents of my players so that they only shout encouraging things and respect the opposition players and parents. But sometimes they too shout things that are not helpful to the team on match days MORE
in Email newsletters, Set pieces, Tactics
Everyone is asking for individual skills that their players can work on in the back garden while we are all in this lockdown. One thing no one thinks about is trying to get them to perfect their throw ins so they can throw short or long. MORE
in Set pieces, Small Sided Games
A long throw when teams are in the attacking third of the pitch can be as effective as a corner kick or a free-kick. Use this session to identify a couple of players who can perfect the technique. Set up You need balls, bibs, cones and two goals. Set up an area 30 x 20... MORE
in Attacking, Set pieces
Free kick from the 1994 World Cup taken by Thomas Brolin which caught the imagination of football fans and gave coaches new ideas for scoring goals from free kicks MORE
in Email newsletters, Set pieces
It is important that players are prepared for all the set-pieces in a game as these can become troublesome areas for young players to cope with. After all these moments happen a lot in matches and players must grow their confidence in dealing with them. MORE
in Defending, Set pieces
Here’s a set-up I have used for defending a right-footed outswinging corner, with each player being afforded a defined role. If defenders are successful in repelling the threat, they can look to break forward and score in either of the two goals positioned on the halfway line. MORE
in Attacking, Set pieces
This was inspired by the Brazil national team. It needs space for the move to work, so think about it when your players are awarded a free-kick some 25-30 yards from goal MORE
in Crossing, Email newsletters, Set pieces
My team has scored goals from lots of different areas this month but the main source of goals has been by passing the ball wide or switching play so the ball is coming from the wings, but they also score from corners and free-kicks. MORE
in Blog, Set pieces, Tips and advice
Your first game in youth soccer can be terrifying with the weight of parents’ expectations hanging over you, but my tips can help you cope with that and give you the strength to make it a great experience for you and your players MORE
in Email newsletters, Pre-season, Set pieces
Set pieces are a vital part of your match day experience... often they present your team with a good chance to score a goal, and they are the key link to restarting the game when the ball goes out of play. They deserve to be practised! MORE
in Fun soccer games, Set pieces
Use this fun training session to encourage your players to take quick throw-ins in order to catch your opponents off guard and create scoring chances MORE
in Ball Control and Footwork, Email newsletters, Set pieces
There is nothing more satisfying than bending the ball from free-kicks or swerving it at goal from open play in and around the box. Watching a wall stretching up but unable to reach the ball as it hits the back of the net is the dream of every young player – and of every coach if they were really honest. MORE
in Ball Control and Footwork, Set pieces
Bending the ball from free kicks is a fabulous skill to have and players can have great fun trying to do it! MORE
in Email newsletters, Set pieces
How often do you see one of your players get penalised for a foul throw? It can be a frustrating business watching your team throw away an advantage. Try these sessions to help MORE
in Set pieces, Shooting
Manchester City beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on penalties. So how do you go about making sure you score? Derby County manager and Chelsea legend Frank Lampard gives his 6 tips MORE
in Email newsletters, Set pieces
Standing on the touchline not a week goes by without me hearing an opposition coach bemoan a poor throw-in or the loss of the ball from a weak goal-kick. Use these sessions so that doesn't happen to you MORE
in Set pieces, Small Sided Games
Use this fun training session to encourage your players to take quick throw-ins in order to catch your opponents off guard and create scoring chances MORE
in Attacking, Set pieces
This shows how effective a flick on can be and helps players exploit the space in the box by moving to the area they know the ball will be delivered to. MORE
in Ball Control and Footwork, Set pieces
David Beckham used to improve his free-kicks at Manchester United by firing the ball through a car tyre hanging from a goal. This fun activity will improve your players in the same way. MORE
in Defending, Set pieces
Once your players understand the concept of zonal defending, this game allows you to put the system into context playing a game with lots of corners MORE
in Set pieces, Tactics
This quick free-kick is designed to catch opponents on the back foot. Without time to organise, they will be caught out not only by the speed of play but the switch of play. MORE
in Crossing, Set pieces
Winning a corner is reason to celebrate but only if you have a plan to create a goal when the corner comes in. Far too often players hit and hope with a cross into the penalty area but this idea will help create a goal scoring chance MORE
in Email newsletters, Set pieces
One thing that coaches often forget about as they mull tactics and formations for the new season is practising set pieces. Preparing for set pieces should be a key part of your planning – start games without practice and you’ll end up with a disorganized rabble. First of all, every one of your players should... MORE
in Blog, Set pieces
The importance of free-kicks cannot be underestimated in youth football. As a statement you may dismiss it, you may disagree with it, or you may actually agree but think that practising free-kicks is pointless. However, it’s a statement worth thinking about. MORE
