Analysing football set plays...

Analysing football set plays...

Set plays are obviously a huge part of football. Depending on the league and level, they account for between 25-40% of all goals. 

Set-play moments require careful analysis and planning to maximise their effectiveness. In this post, we will look into how to actually analyse them and more on why they are important. I have also linked two very interesting podcast guests that I've had from the world of set plays.

Ok, so the first hurdle is to properly understand the importance of them. Set plays can be utilised differently by different types of teams. The fact is though, they are important, and often are the deciding factor of fixture. Recognising the significance of set plays lays the foundation for successful analysis. This goes for being as threatening as possible from your set plays, but also having the ability to defend properly from the opponents attempts too.

Study Past Performances
Reviewing previous matches and analysing the set plays executed by your team and opponents is an essential starting point. Pay close attention to patterns, strategies, player positioning, and movement during set plays. Identify both successful and unsuccessful attempts to gain valuable insights into what works and what needs improvement. 

Is there a preferred taker? What about in-swinging or out-swinging? Or more of a flat delivery. Do certain teams have favourable target men, or routines they like to do? Pay attention to their defensive organisation and the key players they assign to marking duties. This information will help you devise strategies to counter their set plays effectively.

Knowing Your Team's Strengths and Weaknesses
Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your team is crucial when devising set play strategies. Evaluate the technical abilities of individual players, their aerial prowess, shooting accuracy, and overall positioning. This knowledge will help you design set plays that maximise your team's strengths and exploit the weaknesses of the opposing team. It's no good designing a whipped ball to the far post to a target man if you don't have a someone good enough to win the ball, or even play that type of cross in the first place. Play to your strengths

If you want to learn more about set-pieces, then this episode with Stuart Reid is a must watch. Stuart is a freelance set piece analyst working with clubs around the world. Check it out...


Anyway, back to this article...

Preparing Variations
Creating multiple variations of set plays is a powerful strategy. Develop a set of predefined movements, runs, and player roles for different situations. By having a range of options, you keep the opposition guessing and increase the chances of surprising them. Implementing variations also allows you to adapt to different game scenarios and exploit openings in the opposing team's defence. You may use certain strategies against specific types of teams and rotate different plans. Each could then be given a signal so the taker can indicate to the rest of the team what to expect.

Effective communication among players is essential during set plays. Clear and concise instructions, along with non-verbal cues, enable players to anticipate movements and make split-second decisions. Encourage your team to communicate on the field, both verbally and non-verbally, to create a cohesive unit capable of exploiting set play opportunities.

Perfecting Timing and Delivery
Executing set plays with precision relies heavily on timing and delivery. Coaches and players should focus on practicing accurate crosses, well-timed runs, and synchronising movements to maximise the effectiveness of set plays. Training sessions should include specific drills that enhance ball delivery, decision-making under pressure, and player communication.

Post-Match Analysis
Analysing set plays does not stop once the match is over. You can conduct post-match reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of different strategies and identify areas for improvement. Involve players in the analysis process, encouraging their input and suggestions. Video analysis tools can be immensely helpful in breaking down the execution of set plays, highlighting both successful and unsuccessful attempts.

    For the second linked video of this post, you can check out an interview I did with Andy Parslow (below) who is a professional set piece coach working in professional football...


    To sum up, let's just say set-plays are important. 

    And if they make up around 1/3 of goals scored, shouldn't you consider spending time on them? 

    In my opinion, teams don't spend nearly as much time as they should on perfecting set play strategy, but I think that is starting to change. There are a number of clubs that now employ set piece analysts and coaches and so the responsibility that was often picked up by the analyst (amongst all their other jobs!) or the GK coach, is definitely getting more focus and the recognition that it deserves.

    Thanks for reading, and feel to leave any questions in the comments of the above YouTube videos!

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