Annual training plan · U14–U23

Week 42: Training Corners & Free Kicks

2 complete training sessions with 8 drills – created by licensed coaches. Open every drill in the easy2coach web app with one click.

This week’s focus

Many teams devote little or even no time to training set pieces. Goals from dead-ball situations are often put down more to “luck” than to targeted training and the players' abilities.

But this is a fatal mistake, because success rates from set pieces vary greatly even among the top teams. This shows that targeted training in this area can certainly help. In addition, a great many goals are scored from dead-ball situations. After all, around 30–35 % of goals in the top leagues are scored from penalties, corners or free kicks.

So that your team leaves nothing to chance at dead-ball situations, this week and next week will work intensively on set pieces. This week, the main focus is on how your team scores goals from corners and free kicks. Next week, the focus will be on defending set pieces.

The basic requirements for scoring regularly from dead-ball situations are your players' technical skills as well as their duelling and their movement into the box. To score from a corner, for example, you first need a good striking technique. The ball has to arrive in front of goal accurately. This means the ball must not drop too early or come too close to goal, otherwise the opposing goalkeeper can claim it. At the same time, the ball should not be struck too far away from goal either. A good guideline is to deliver the ball between the penalty spot and the six-yard box.

When the ball then flies into the penalty area, movement into the box is what counts. Players should attack all the dangerous zones if possible. But players should really run into these areas and not already be standing in them. This has the advantage that players are harder to defend when moving and get more power behind the ball.

Now your players have to win the aerial duel and head the ball into the goal. In a heading duel, it is definitely an advantage to jump before the opponent. It also helps to go into the aerial duel robustly and bravely, but fairly.

If your player then beats his opponent at full speed, from close range it is usually enough just to get his head on the ball. The ball should be hit with the flat of the forehead. It becomes much easier if the ball is headed against the direction of the run. This makes it easier to head the ball more accurately and with more power.

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

The first session on the topic of set pieces will be about corners. A mistake that can often be observed at corners is the positioning of the players. They are often already standing in the penalty area before the corner is taken. Although it can certainly be a useful tactic to position a player in the “box” beforehand, for example to obstruct the goalkeeper's view, the players should generally start from outside the penalty area. This makes the attackers harder to defend, and it is simply easier to head the ball powerfully when on the move. Ideally, the players also start level with the far post. This allows the attackers to make diagonal runs and gives them a better angle to the ball.

As a rule, around 5 players then make runs, starting towards different areas in front of goal, 2 players take up positions in the cut-back area and the remaining 2 players form a rest defence. However, corners do not always have to follow the same pattern. There are very creative ways of surprising the opponent with a corner:

  • A player can come short towards the corner taker. This can draw a defender away from the goal and create more space in the penalty area. If the corner is taken short, a 2 vs 1 situation can be played out and a cross delivered from a different angle. This has the advantage that the delivery can, for example, end up directly in the goal more easily
  • If your team has a particularly tall player who is strong in the air, a team-mate can support that player by setting a block. To do this, the team-mate simply blocks the run of the defender who is responsible for the player who is strong in the air
  • Another way of surprising the opponent at corners is to overload areas. Depending on the type of defending, this has different effects. If the opponent defends the space, a numerical advantage can arise in the overloaded zone. In this case, the corner is delivered specifically into that area. If, on the other hand, the opposing team uses man-marking, a player who is particularly strong in the air can, for example, attack the far post and the remaining players the near post. This gives the attacker who is strong in the air more space for the finish, as the remaining team-mates drag their opponents with them
Coaching points for this session
  • Form sufficient rest defence (at least equal numbers or one player more)
  • Play corners with swerve
  • Play corners between the six-yard box and the penalty spot
  • Start outside the penalty area, level with the far post
  • Assert yourself against the opponents, hard but fair • If the ball cannot be reached, keep running through (this drags the opponent along)
Drill 1

Fitness and Coordination II

20 min
  • The ball is passed back and forth between the players.
  • After each pass the obstacles in the circuit are crossed in an anti-clockwise direction.
  • The hurdles can be crossed using various coordination tasks.
  • At the end the players join the back of the other group.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: A circuit made up of poles, hurdles, agility ladders and cones.

Equipment: 10 poles, 2 agility ladders, 12 hurdles, 4 cones and 6 balls.

Players: Two groups facing each other.

Coaching points
  • Play the passes with good quality so that the drill gets up to speed.
Drill 2

Lofted Balls over the Goal

20 minVary according to the level of ability
  • The players take up a position in their respective zone.
  • They alternately play lofted balls over the goals into the respective zones.

Variations: Run the drill as a competition — which players manage to play more balls over the goal into the target area? Optionally also with the weaker foot.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: 16 cones mark four zones; two youth goals stand between them.

Equipment: 16 cones, 2 youth goals and several balls.

Players: One player per zone.

Coaching points
  • Play the lofted ball out of the movement.
  • Play the balls with the inside of the instep.
  • Place the standing foot to the side behind the ball.
  • When controlling the ball, do not let the ball bounce.
  • Bring the ball down to the ground quickly.
  • Give way at the moment of contact with the ball.
Drill 3

Corner Variation III

15 min
  1. Player H delivers the ball towards the far post.
  2. As soon as Player H starts the run-up, the strikers I and J cross: Player J runs to the near post, Player I to the far post.
  3. Player G runs between the near post and the middle of the goal area, Player B towards the far post.
  4. Player C runs into the centre between the goal area and the penalty spot.

Player E covers the cut-back area and finishes balls that are cleared. Player F as well as the full-backs A and D provide cover at the back. After each corner the starting positions are taken up again.

Variations:

  • Striker variation: Player I stands at the near post and flicks balls on or finishes first time. Player J stands with the goalkeeper and disturbs the goalkeeper without fouling.

Note: To begin with, rehearse without opponents in order to develop automatic patterns. Later train with opponents and from both sides.

Equipment & set-up

Set-up: The strikers I and J stand next to each other level with the goal area. The centre-backs B and C as well as the right-sided central midfielder G stand level with the edge of the penalty area. The left wide midfielder E stands centrally in the cut-back area, the left-sided central midfielder F behind, slightly offset to the left. The full-backs A and D stand in half-central positions level with the halfway line. Player H takes the corner.

Position key:

  • TW — goalkeeper
  • A — left full-back
  • B — left centre-back
  • C — right centre-back
  • D — right full-back
  • E — left wide midfielder
  • F — left-sided central midfielder
  • G — right-sided central midfielder
  • H — right wide midfielder
  • I — left striker
  • J — right striker
Drill 4

6 vs 6 + 2 Extra Players

30 min
  • A free game of 6 vs 6 is played with two extra players.
  • The extra players always play with the team in possession along the touchlines and may only play first time.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the playing area; there are two goals at the ends.

Equipment: Cones, 2 goals and several balls.

Players: Two teams of six, two extra players and two goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Play through the lines boldly.
  • Use the extra players for play through a third player.
  • Follow the ball after being played past.
  • Form a staggered shape in depth in midfield.
The complete session as a ready-made training plan – with animated drills in the web app. Go to the web app

Session 2

4 drills

As with corners, there are many different ways of taking free kicks. There are no limits to the creativity of the players and the coaches. Here are a few ways a free kick can be executed:

  • Scoring directly from the free kick is probably the most straightforward option. However, it requires very good shooting technique. Close to the penalty area, the ball is usually shot over the wall with the inside of the instep. The opponent can, however, be caught out completely if the shot goes into the keeper's side or under the wall. From a greater distance, an instep drive can lead to success with a bit of luck
  • If several potential takers stand over the ball, the opponent can be confused very effectively. This opens up many ways of executing the free kick. For example, players can run over the ball one after the other, making it unclear to the goalkeeper which player is the taker. Another option is for one of the players to run in behind after running over the ball. That player can then be played in directly or through a third player
  • Free kicks can of course also be delivered into the box. This is particularly suitable when the ball is in the half-space. The ball is often whipped in with curl towards the far post, which means the ball can sometimes end up directly in the goal
  • Free kicks can also be taken short in order to position the ball more favourably. For example, the ball can be pushed a few metres to the side so that it is easier to play the ball past the wall
Coaching points for this session
  • Creative free-kick routines should be practised under pressure from opponents wherever possible. This allows the surprise effect to be tested. In addition, the routines should be rehearsed often enough to internalise the passes and runs.
Drill 1

Handball Heading Game

15 min
  • Both teams pass the ball to each other by hand.
  • With the ball in the hands, a maximum of three steps may be taken; the ball is passed on by then at the latest, without stopping.
  • Goals may only be scored with the head after a pass from a team-mate; setting the ball up for oneself is not allowed.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area; a goal stands at one side.

Equipment: 1 goal, cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams.

Coaching points
  • Demand active getting free from the players.
Drill 2

4 vs 4 with a Coordination and Endurance Course

30 min35 to 40 x 17 to 20 metres.

Two teams play 4 vs 4 to the two goals. The remaining 8 players go through the course around the pitch in the meantime.

  1. Behind the goals the players run at an easy endurance pace.
  2. On one long side a build-up run follows.
  3. On the other long side they complete the coordination part with the ladder, hurdles and poles.

After 5 minutes there is a rest of about 2 minutes, then the teams change. Four rounds per team are planned. After two rounds the goalkeepers change sides; if several goalkeepers are available, they change among themselves.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Small pitch with two goals. The balls are ready at both goals.

Equipment: 2 goals, 1 agility ladder, several hurdles and poles, several balls.

Players: 16 outfield players in four teams of 4 players each, plus one goalkeeper per goal. With a smaller squad, two teams of 8 players each, competing as the first and the second team.

Coaching points
  • In the 4 vs 4, pay attention to a high tempo and consistent pressing.
  • Demand quick transitions, from the goalkeepers as well.
  • In the course, pay attention to tempo and clean execution.
Drill 3

Free Kick Variation I

20 min
  • Player H strikes the ball with the right foot firmly and with plenty of spin as a half-high or high free kick into the far corner (far post) or into the near corner (near post).
  • The attacking players set off with Player H's backswing.
  • The strikers I and J cross towards the near post and towards the goalkeeper respectively. Striker I also has the option of moving towards the free-kick taker and taking the free kick short.
  • Player C sprints to the near post, Player B runs towards the goal area and the penalty spot, Player G towards the far post.
  • Player A makes an overlapping run around Player H in order to cross or to switch the ball to the other side after a return pass.
  • After each free kick the starting positions are taken up again and the next repetition starts.

Progression: To begin with, rehearse without opponents in order to develop automatic patterns. Later train with opponents and from both sides.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: One half of the pitch with one goal.

Players: The attacking team stands level with the edge of the penalty area.

  • The right wide midfielder H takes up a left-of-centre position to take the free kick. The balls are with this player.
  • The two strikers I and J stand in the penalty area, level with each other between the penalty spot and the edge of the penalty area.
  • The right centre-back C stands centrally and slightly further back between the two strikers.
  • The left centre-back B and the right-sided central midfielder G stand level with the edge of the penalty area, slightly to the right of the penalty arc.
  • The left wide midfielder E stands in the central cut-back area, Player A in the area behind Player H.
  • The right full-back D and the left-sided central midfielder F stand level with the halfway line.

Positions in the basic shape:

  • TW — goalkeeper
  • A — left full-back
  • B — left centre-back
  • C — right centre-back
  • D — right full-back
  • E — left wide midfielder
  • F — left-sided central midfielder
  • G — right-sided central midfielder
  • H — right wide midfielder
  • I — left striker
  • J — right striker
Drill 4

Free Kick Variation III

15 min
  • Player H feigns a cross and passes the ball to Player E, who shoots at goal first time.
  • The attacking players set off with Player E's backswing.
  • The strikers I and J cross towards the near post and towards the goalkeeper respectively. Striker I also has the option of moving towards the free-kick taker and taking the free kick short.
  • Player C sprints to the near post, Player B runs towards the goal area and the penalty spot, Player G towards the far post.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: One half of the pitch with one goal.

Players: The attacking team stands level with the edge of the penalty area.

  • The right wide midfielder H takes up a left-of-centre position to take the free kick. The balls are with this player.
  • The two strikers I and J stand in the penalty area, level with each other between the penalty spot and the edge of the penalty area.
  • The right centre-back C stands centrally and slightly further back between the two strikers.
  • The left centre-back B and the right-sided central midfielder G stand level with the edge of the penalty area, slightly to the right of the penalty arc.
  • The left wide midfielder E stands in the central cut-back area, Player A in the area behind Player H.
  • The right full-back D and the left-sided central midfielder F stand level with the halfway line.

Positions in the basic shape:

  • TW — goalkeeper
  • A — left full-back
  • B — left centre-back
  • C — right centre-back
  • D — right full-back
  • E — left wide midfielder
  • F — left-sided central midfielder
  • G — right-sided central midfielder
  • H — right wide midfielder
  • I — left striker
  • J — right striker
More on this topic Set pieces · 1 ready-made session View sessions →
Your training. Your web app.

Get the complete training plans in the web app

  • All 52 weeks, up to three sessions per week
  • More than 3,000 drills – many of them animated
  • Build your own training plans & share them with your team
Start for free

No subscription, no credit card. Sign up in 1 minute.