soccer tactics corner kicks board interactive

NewcastleĮddie Howe and his coaching staff grew a reputation for set-piece innovation in their time with Bournemouth. This tactical theory article will look at examples from a number of clubs to highlight their trends and suggest some key takeaways that may benefit other teams if they sought to employ these techniques. This analysis breaks down some of the key concepts, from using decoys to prevent offsides from being an issue to using variety to set up “trick plays” - and even a variation on archetypal free-kick routines from specific areas.

This tactical analysis will take a look at some of the tactics that some of Europe’s most innovative set-piece sides are employing to gain an advantage over their opponents.

Whilst teams have been rightly praised for being effective from corners, less noise is made about those teams that regularly turn free-kicks in seemingly moderate-to-low danger areas, into goalscoring opportunities. There are teams out there employing set-piece coaches and/or using innovative ideas from these situations. Set-pieces can be the difference between a win, loss or draw, and in the modern game where teams are looking for whatever marginal gains they can, it is still surprising there are plenty of top-level teams employing basic and ineffective routines from dead-ball situations that have led to little in the way of goals.

Soccer tactics corner kicks board interactive