Set pieces

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.

Throw-in frenzy

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

Have fun bending the ball

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

Brazilian swerve

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

Make throw-ins work at all ages

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

6 tips for scoring from the penalty spot

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

Set-pieces are the winning difference

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

Fast throw-ins

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

Score from corners

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

Free kick practice

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

Defend together

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

Fast and furious

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

Top of the box

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

Win your first game in charge

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

How to coach attacking throw-ins - part 3

Prepare for the season: set pieces

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

Free-kicks change games

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