Set Play – Attacking Situations

Almost half of the goals that are scored in today’s modern game are the direct result of well rehearsed set plays. Teams do not generally set out to gain free kicks; they usually come about as a last resort when defenders try to prevent attacking players from creating a situation that could lead to a goal. A free kick can be direct or indirect. The direct free kick is where a direct shot can be taken at goal while an indirect free kick is where the ball must be played by another player before it is in play. When a free kick is given near goal there is usually a lot of uncertainty with defending players hurrying to form a wall, the goalkeeper helping to position the wall, the referee moving the wall back the correct distance and so on. The wall is simply set up to block the shot or reduce the angle of the shot at goal. As a result of not having a direct shot at goal the attacking players have to be precise and deceptive to catch the defending team off balance with an inventive piece of set play. Usually there are 3 or more players around the ball before the kick is taken. This will often confuse the defenders and the goalkeeper as to who is actually going to start the move. Whenever the referee stops play and gives a free kick, the team that gets the free kick, particularly near the penalty area has a big advantage in that:

1. No defending player can tackle or press for the ball before the ball has been played.

2. All defending players must stand the required distance from the ball.

3. The attacking players control the time and can be in position before the ball is kicked.

4. The attacking players know in advance what set play is going to be played.

5. With control of time and the ball being dead, more attacking players can move forward into attacking positions. The selection of which set piece to apply will depend to a great extent on the general tactical plan and playing conditions. This would include the playing surface (hard, muddy or bumpy), the weather conditions (windy, rain or sunny), etc.

Set play in attacking situations would represent:

1. Free kick with defending players in the wall
2. Free kick without defending players in the wall
3. Corner kick
4. Throw-in
5. Penalty

There are a number of free kick variations and passing combinations that can be used for indirect free kicks. Coaches are well advised to rehearse these set play attacking situations from the left, middle and right sides. Above are examples of set play exercises, in attacking situations, with defending players in a wall. Please feel free to place this information on your website or forward it onto your coaching staff.