⚽ Pre-Season · Set-Pieces
Pre-Season Set Piece Review
Set pieces account for roughly 30% of goals at all levels.
Pre-Season Set Piece Review — full pitch view
The one cue that matters
Attacking routines called by name before every rep — naming it precedes executing it
◆Why this drill works
Set pieces account for roughly 30% of goals at all levels. Pre-season is the best time to install, reinstall, or upgrade set piece routines — players are fresh, there is no match pressure, and mistakes in training have no consequence. This session covers attacking corners, attacking free kicks, and defensive wall organisation in one block.
▦The drill in three phases
1Setup
Starting positions — players, zones and equipment in place.
2Action
Movement begins — players run, dribble and create the pattern.
3Finish
The end action — pass, shot or outcome the drill builds toward.
Ball carrierAttackersDefendersPass / dribbleShot
▶How to run it
- Attacking corners: 3 reps of the named corner routine each side. Coach calls quality, not outcome.
- Attacking free kicks: two routines drilled 5 reps each from three different positions.
- Defending corners: GK organises the wall or zonal marking setup. 5 reps defending each routine.
- Defending free kicks: wall organisation drill. GK calls number, position, WALL SET. 5 reps.
- End with a competitive set piece shootout: attacking team earns 1pt per goal from set piece. Defending team earns 1pt for a clean defensive execution.
✓Equipment checklist
- Balls8
- Cones12
- Bibs10
✦Coaching points
Praise when you see
- Attacking routines called by name before every rep — naming it precedes executing it
- Wall and defensive set-up organised within 8 seconds — GK leads without hesitation
Correct when you see
- Attacking runners starting too early — 'time the run to the delivery'
- Wall disorganised or players arguing about positions — GK's word is final
★Kit for this drill — top picks compared
| Pick | Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick | Agility Ladder | Build the base. | Check price → |
| Value | Marker Cones (50-pack) | Conditioning circuits. | Check price → |
| Upgrade | Training Footballs (6-pack) | Technical work. | Check price → |
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?Frequently asked questions
What age group is Pre-Season Set Piece Review suitable for?
This drill suits U13–adult. Build the intensity progressively and scale the workload to the group.
How many players do I need for Pre-Season Set Piece Review?
This drill works well with around 14 players. With fewer, reduce the groups or rotate players through; with more, set up multiple stations so everyone stays active rather than queuing.
How long does Pre-Season Set Piece Review take?
Allow around 5 minutes to set up and 20 minutes to run it — about 25 minutes in total. It fits well as the technical or main block of a session, leaving time for a warm-up and a game.