An area that can be used as a massive marginal game if executed properly, but why don’t more take it seriously, in preparation?
After recently talking to a coach at a well known professional club, he highlighted to me that out of the last 4 managers he has worked with, there was only 1 who practised these religiously. The reward? Their conversion rate in both offence and defensive moments of the game changed dramatically and this propelled the team into a position, not previously seen.

In my previous management role, set pieces were given time on the training ground and the attention before kick off. I highlighted our intentions regularly, for attacking and defending corners, throw ins and free kicks, which allowed us to be more predictable, in the hope of gaining an advantage. These rewards were seen and before the season was stopped due to COVID, we had scored 12 of our 28 goals from attacking corners. We also had a centre back in 2nd place of the scoring charts, with a further 2 other defenders in the top 5. Is this relevant information to all? No it isn’t, but what it does prove, is that if you give time to this part of the game (it should really be equal to everything else, as it still part of the GAME!), you could see some positive outcomes.

The intentions were the key part to this process and using the right players, to individually apply their own decisions, made this work even successfully. I took the following into consideration (a few points);

Attacking corners
In swinging or out swinging?
The area of the penalty box to exploit?
Creating space for the best ‘headers’ of the ball
Counter attack prevention

Defending corners
Using a mixed scheme of man marking and zonal coverage
Awareness of the best ‘headers’ on the opposition team
Counter attack exploitation

Attacking throw ins
Creation of space
Creating overloads

Defending throw ins
Making the attack predictable
Keeping the opposition in one part of the field

Attacking free kicks
Convert an opportunity
Create an opportunity, to then convert

Defending free kicks
What type of wall do we need?
Can we exploit them on a counter attack?

While this list isn’t exclusive, there were many other decisions that were taken into consideration and after 6/7 games, the players showed competencies that allowed us to progress further.
We could then add a 2nd different plan to our attacking corners for example or revaluate the progress with our throw in’s.

In the professional game, you can now see set piece coaches that are working full time and taking this area of the game seriously. It does beg the question, why all clubs aren’t doing this and maximising every opportunity to get better? Learning of managers and coaches that don’t consider this in their match preparation, leaves a void within their responsibilities!