3 Effective Attacking Set-Piece Routines
- Gary Curneen
- Aug 25
- 3 min read
Set-pieces have evolved into a critical aspect of football strategy, garnering increasing attention from coaches at all levels of the game. With a significant percentage of goals now being scored from corner kicks, free kicks, and throw-ins, it is evident that a well-executed set-piece can be the difference between winning and losing a match. The trend of prioritizing set-piece training has gained momentum, leading many teams to allocate specific training sessions dedicated solely to these situations. The benefits of mastering set-pieces are immense. A team that can consistently score from set-piece situations not only increases its overall goal tally but also instills a sense of confidence and psychological advantage over opponents.
The ability to convert set-pieces into goals can shift the momentum of a match and can be particularly crucial in tightly contested games where open play opportunities may be limited. Furthermore, successful set-piece execution can demoralize opposing teams, creating a fear factor that can influence their defensive strategies. As football continues to evolve, the significance of set-pieces cannot be overstated. The increasing focus on set-piece training and the hiring of specialized coaches reflect a broader understanding of how these moments can be leveraged to gain a competitive edge. By investing time and resources into set-piece routines, teams can enhance their scoring potential and improve their overall performance on the field. As such, set-pieces have cemented their place as a fundamental component of modern football strategy, deserving of the attention and respect they command.
This week on MSC Breakdown, we share three attacking corner kick ideas. You can watch the breakdown below, plus the details are in the article.
Corner One
Three target players are positioned around the penalty spot
One player positioned towards the near post, in front of the defender
Two players are at the edge of the box
On the signal, one of the players at the edge of the box moves away, the near post attacking player checks to the ball and the first (strong side) target makes an early run to the near post
This movement opens the space at the near post where the first zonal player occupied
The second target player times their run into that area and finishes on goal
Corner Two
One player at the near post engaging the zonal defensive players in that area
Five players positioned as ‘target players’ at the near post and two attackers outside the box
Two players moved back towards the halfway line
One defensive player moves from the defensive position towards the ball and receives a pass from the corner taker
At the same time, the opponent push up and look to put pressure on the ball
The initial target players at the near post push up with the defensive line
One player at the edge of the box moves in the other direction and times their run to finish from the back post delivery
Corner Three
One attacking player starts at the near post, in between the defenders
Four attacking ‘target players’ engaging the markers around the penalty spot
Two additional players outside the box positioned for second phase or counter-attack prevention
When the corner taker is on the run-up, near post attacker pops in front of the second zonal player into the Delivery Area
3 target players make movements towards the near post, in case the ball is overhit - but one player makes a run towards the back post
First player guides a flick on towards the back post for the target players to meet and finish from close range
