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.

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

Score from a corner like France

in Attacking, Set pieces, Shooting, World Cup 2018

The vital goal that gave France a 1-0 win in the World Cup Semi-final was scored from a corner headed into the net. This gave them the edge in the game and was the winning difference between the two teams. MORE

How to take advantage at throw-ins

in Email newsletters, Set pieces

Every throw-in your team gets will be either an opportunity to launch a fresh attack or make an accurate pass to a player in space. MORE

The forward player defending corners

in Defending, Set pieces

One position you should give a great deal of thought to is the defending player nearest to the corner taker. A strong player in this position offers a number of defensive outlets MORE

How to set up an attacking corner

in Attacking, Set pieces

Watching France score the only goal in the semi final against Belgium in the World Cup shows how well set up teams can cause problems at corners for the defending team. This set up ensures your team will have a great chance of scoring a goal. MORE

World Cup moments – score from a corner

in Attacking, Set pieces, World Cup 2018

Germany had been the best team of the 2010 World Cup but Spain had passed their way to this semi-final. There were chances for both, but it was a set-piece goal that separated the teams at the end of the match. MORE

World Cup moments – Italia 90: Platt scores from...

in Blog, Set pieces, World Cup 2018

ENGLAND V BELGIUM - WORLD CUP 1990 - DAVID PLATT'S GOAL - 26TH JUNE - BOLOGNA, ITALY. In the last minute of extra time, England scored the winning goal from a Paul Gascoigne free kick volleyed home by David Platt. MORE

Gazza Italia 90 – try it yourself

in Ball Control and Footwork, Set pieces, World Cup 2018

This free kick was played to perfection by England’s Paul Gascoigne and David Platt in the Italia 90 World Cup. Gazza’s kick was taken from too far out for youth players to try and emulate, so this is our version of it. MORE

Turn free-kicks into goals

in Email newsletters, Set pieces, Tactics

Free-kicks are important: fact. So important that between 40 and 50 per cent of all goals scored originate from set-pieces. Check out my best free kick sessions. MORE

How to take long throw-ins

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. MORE

How to defend at corners

in Defending, Set pieces

This session looks at the roles of defenders and the goalkeeper in corner kick situations. It’s vital that, when setting up to defend a corner, each man knows his exact task, working as an individual and as part of a bigger unit within the penalty area. MORE