CONTROL SHOOTING PASSING DRIBBLING TURNING HEADING CREATE SPACE INDIVIDUAL DEFENDING SUPPORT PLAY GOALKEEPING CROSSING TACKLING THE THROW IN ATTACKING SET PLAYS DEFENDING SET PLAYS THE FREE KICK

DEFENDING SET PLAYS

Please select a subsection from the topics below :

A basic introduction    Corners   Closing down space    Forcing the play    the corner kick    Corners to the edge of the penalty area  Corners to and beyond the far post Switching play in defence

A BASIC INTRODUCTION

FREE KICKS, including corners and throw-ins are match winning situations, so defending at set-plays needs informed planning if you do not want to concede goals.

Consider the games dead ball specialists: David Beckham, Roberto Carlos, Zola an Dennis Bergkamp. All these players and many more practice for hours perfecting their technique but as defenders how often do you practice defending against them? Very little I expect.

What I will attempt to do is highlight with diagrams, area for defenders to stand when defending set-plays. As defenders, you will need to organise quickly and stay concentrated from the moment the free-kick/corner is awarded.

You should try to read the type of free-kick/corner about to be delivered: in/out swinger.

You should be brave and keep your eyes on the ball at all times.

You should attempt to get to the ball first.

The wall should stay big and together (runners to close down should not be part of the wall).