Training sessions by topic

Set-piece training: 1 ready-made session

Corners, free kicks and throw-ins: a complete session for youth and adult teams.

Set Pieces

4 drills

In this practice format, set pieces, i.e. penalties, corners and free kicks near goal, are practised. It is important that the players switch focus quickly and concentrate on the next situation straight after each round.

Drill 1

Penalty King

10 minPenalty area
  • The players take on the goalkeeper one after the other.
  • The first player tries to score a goal with a penalty.
  • If the ball is saved or the penalty is missed, the goalkeeper stays in the goal and receives one point.
  • If the taker scores, that player goes into the goal without receiving a point.
  • The previous goalkeeper does 5 press-ups and then joins the back of the queue.

Variations:

  • The next player behind the taker dictates how the penalty is to be taken, for example with the right foot, with the left foot, top left, bottom right or a Panenka.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Play takes place towards a full-size goal, and the shots are taken from the penalty spot.

Equipment: Balls, 1 goal.

Players: One player is in the goal, another takes the kick from the penalty spot. The remaining players wait at the D on the edge of the penalty area.

Coaching points
  • Demand a brisk sequence, so that as little waiting time as possible arises.
Drill 2

Corner Kick Training

25 minPenalty area
  • The two teams play against each other.
  • After the first team has taken a corner and the ball ends up in the goal or out of play, is claimed by the goalkeeper or stays in play for longer than about 5 seconds, the situation switches promptly to the other side.
  • Now the second team takes a corner while the first team defends.
  • If the defending team takes too long to get organised, the attacking team may exploit the mistake and take the corner immediately.
  • The sides are then switched again.
  • After a few rounds the corner taker and, where appropriate, the kicking foot are changed.

Scoring: The goals are counted. If the goalkeeper catches a ball, a throw may be used to try to score in the opposition goal. The defenders can also score in the opposition goal with clearances by head, on the volley or first time.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Opposite the regular full-size goal, set up a second goal level with the D in the penalty area, so that the two goals face each other. On both touchlines, level with this second goal, one flat marker each marks the corner point for this goal; for the full-size goal the regular corner points of the pitch are used. Balls are ready at all four corner points.

Equipment: 2 flat markers, balls, 2 goals.

Players: Two teams, each with a goalkeeper. One corner taker is nominated per team.

Coaching points
  • Change the corner takers and work through different variations, such as near post, far post, the cut-back area or a grouping during the run-up.
  • The defenders should mark man-to-man in the immediate vicinity of the goal and otherwise defend zonally.
Drill 3

Free Kick Training

25 minPenalty area
  • The two teams play against each other.
  • The free kick takers shoot at the opposition goal from their stations in turn.
  • The other team tries to prevent the goal with a wall and the goalkeeper.
  • Once a taker has completed all 5 stations, the goals are counted.
  • The taker is then changed.

Scoring: Once a losing team has been determined, it receives an extra task, for example 10 press-ups.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Opposite the regular full-size goal, set up a second goal level with the D in the penalty area. In front of each of the two goals, 5 flat markers in their own colour mark the shooting stations around the penalty area, and a ball is ready at each flat marker.

Equipment: 10 flat markers in two colours, balls, 2 goals.

Players: Two teams, each with a goalkeeper. One free kick taker is nominated per team.

Coaching points
  • The goalkeeper should set the wall so that the outermost player blocks the route between the ball and the near post.
  • The players in the wall should stand as close together as possible, so that the ball does not go through a gap.
  • If the goalkeeper catches a ball cleanly, a throw may be used to try to score on the counter-attack.
Drill 4

Set Piece Game

30 minPenalty area
  • A free game is played.
  • If the ball goes out over the goal line, the opposing team receives a corner.
  • If the ball goes out over the touchline, the opposing team receives a free kick at the edge of the penalty area, level with the goal line.
  • If a team scores three goals in a row, it additionally receives a penalty.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Opposite the regular full-size goal, set up a second goal level with the D in the penalty area, so that the two goals face each other. On both touchlines, level with this second goal, one flat marker each marks the corner point for this goal; for the full-size goal the regular corner points of the pitch are used.

Equipment: 2 flat markers, bibs, balls, 2 goals.

Players: Two teams, each with a goalkeeper. If the number of players is odd, a neutral player can be nominated who plays only for the team in possession.

Coaching points
  • The goalkeepers can also score goals with throws.

More topics

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