INTRODUCTION
Set plays or restarts are important in attacking soccer, because they provide you with a chance to start ball movement in relatively controlled circumstances. For instance, a goal kick provides an opportunity for deep penetration if a goalkeeper and forward players successfully disguise their intent while overloading into a target area. Corner kicks should always provide a good chance for a goal, since the whole attack can crash in without worrying about offside. Therefore, they require extra vigilance from defensive units, because of the dangers of a quick strike (BIG FIVE). Set plays are the essence of Big Five time periods--fresh restarts, often after a period of intensity. Most players have a tendency to relax a bit during such moments; that is a fatal flaw that the more alert team can capitalize on. Just as the attackers can capitalize on this fact, so can the defense: a quick counter off a corner kick often results in a scoring opportunity for the heads-up squad.
While there are specific plays or set pieces for some soccer situations, these will be addressed in training. More generally, restarts involve principles and patterns, which are discussed below.
Kick-off
Attack:
- hopefully we only do this once. Push forward to midfield line. Typical pattern: run forward while a couple of passes in circle buy time.
- flagging pass to targets running forward or play into the space that the runs created.
- think Big Five
Defense:
- strikers or wing mids should cover the ball (run directly into center) and the drop (run diagonally to bottom of circle).
- mark space (or the man in your space).
- think Big Five
Throw-In
Attack:
- there is no offside penalty, deep penetration
- play quickly (WHISTLE does NOT mean STOP); thrower must immediately re-enter field
- movement off the ball. Common patterns are down the line, check away, check to (button-hook), overhead, flick on
Defense:
- remember there is no offside penalty
- eye on ball
- mark a man!
Goal Kick
Attack:
- no offside penalty
- outlet FBs wide, wingers touch the touch line
- move ball side as ball is kicked
- server should designate a side, and attackers overload (this requires a signal system)
- flick on
- think Big Five
Defense:
- eye on ball
- ball side, mark a man!
- be prepared for their mistakes, ALWAYS ASSUME, make 'em pay
Corner Kick
Attack:
- the key feature of the CK is it is impossible for the receiver to be offside, w/ a service directly into the danger zone
- secondly, position of ball and attackers should make them difficult to mark (enter from far corner of penalty area)
- therefore, the short pass play has limited use
- patterns are bending run, disguise intent, late challenge, take out the trash
- get a body part on the ball
- defenders (on attacking team) should push well forward, keeping equal numbers, including man in the middle
Defense:
- man goalposts
- mark a man! call numbers. SW should be free
- push up ASAP
Free Kicks
Attack:
- direct or indirect? (Ref's arm up indicates INdirect)
- the best free kick play is one which results in a shot on goal
- keep it simple: shoot, or pass and shoot
- Fill A Lane
Defense:
- set a wall seven yards from ball, designated wall captain takes orders from GK
- mark a man!
- w/ med. and long-range FKs, nearest defender should stand 10 yards from ball (an effective distraction)
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