In this blog Mark ***, an FA futsal coach developer, shares how he has explored the significance of set pieces in his coaching.

Our Wider Team performances

In writing this article I am acutely aware that the technical and skill development to players has focused primarily on attacking themes, but I don’t want to neglect set pieces value to the defensive development of players. This is something we as a team have hugely benefited from over recent weeks and games. As mentioned throughout this article set pieces offer a structured starting point to begin any coaching or learning process with. This has been a great opportunity and added value to the support of players learning in some of the specific defensive areas:

• Appreciation of roles and responsibilities within defensive structure
• Covering of passing and shooting lines
• Being prepared and committed to blocking shots and strike on goals

There are other intricacies of individual defending techniques and skills that could be unpicked and explored further from set pieces, but these can be for a future article and another time. I want to explore and share some of the more subtle values set pieces can offer a team that might at first glance go under the radar of players and coaches.

Being reactive

Both attacking and defending set piece structures require a quick reaction to set up and execute due to the 4 second rule. For players who are on the court this promotes effective decision making skills to read and react to the situation and the context of the game. Which kick in or corner is most appropriate for its positioning, players on court who will execute the set piece, who has what role (we have had some challenges over who is most suitable for striking the ball from distance), which opposing players are on – do they have a weakness we can exploit and probably most crucial what is the state of the game.

Communication and Leadership – Taking Charge of the Situation!

As an extension of decision making skills comes the ability to communicate between players involved so everyone is aware of which set piece is being used in an attacking phase or what defensive set will be applied. Clarity of communication between each other within a relatively short space of time is amplified and crucial within set pieces, as is leadership. We have appointed set-piece leaders on the court within our squad, these are 3 to 4 players who are very similar in playing style and often play as fixes for the team, ensuring that there is always at least one of them on court at any one time. They take responsibility for the calling of attacking set pieces and the positioning of defensive set ups in relation to the ball and attackers positioning. This additional responsibility within games has also filtered across to training sessions and off court activities where they are now more confident on taking charge of situations and ensuring the rest of the squad tun up to training and matches on time as well as give their maximum effort. This has been of great benefit to me as a coach working with a new team of players with some additional player to player support and leadership.

Being United

With the player led leadership on court and the rigorous organisation, particularly on defensive set pieces we have build a united sense of solidarity. Like most teams we celebrate a denial of a goal scoring opportunity just as much as a goal itself, and from the focused lens of stopping an attacking opportunity as a team, set pieces (certainly defensively) provides opportunity to grow and show this highly beneficial team trait.

Appreciating Quality and the Finer Details

Similarly to solidarity set -pieces has added opportunities and forced us as a team to develop our quality of executions and an heightened appreciation of the need to focus on the small details of the game. Within an attacking set piece, mistiming a movement or pass by a fraction of a second can impact on the defenders closing spaces down, an under hit or overhit pass has an effect on an opponent’s ability to intercept a pass or a teammates ability to strike first time respectively. Understanding the need to focus on the details and the quality of these small details as part of a bigger more orchestrated movement and seeing it working to result in a goal or denial of a goal scoring opportunity rewards players with clear and obvious sense of confidence that I personally would struggle to give players. There is something far more beneficial to a player who can see the immediate impact and reward of their actions against the backdrop of a high-stakes scenario that far outweighs the praise given by a coach. This self-relisation of their individual’s actions and contributions to the teams elevates the confidence gained by all involved. On the flip side when it goes wrong it  - it can be highly detrimental to individuals and teams confidence, but we remind ourselves that there will quickly be another set-piece opportunity to reverse any previous mistakes.

Developing Combinations

As mentioned, many times throughout this article set pieces provide a good starting point to introduce key objectives or topics. None more so than in introducing attacking combinations or movements to players. From defensive kick ins we have started to introduce movements or rotations that would hopefully get us out of situations where opponents might be pressurizing us. These movements look very close to and have similar cues and triggers for movements as in our 3-1 rotations to maintain possession and move opposing defenders. From attacking kick ins we have had the added value and opportunity to really focus on the triggers and timings of movements to maximise the use of any created space and bypass defensive lines. From one particular attacking kick in that we use there is an option to play either a wall pass or parallel and this has helped massively in the details of timing, movements and quality of pass in transferring of the moves to our open play in the attacking phase.

Developing Creativity

Like most things in life and sport, having a plan doesn’t always necessarily we have to or are even allowed to follow the plan. I don’t want to pretend that we as a team are excellent or efficient in using set pieces – because we are not – nor does every set piece performed in games (or training sessions) go to plan. However, what it does provide is the opportunity for players to think quick, react and be creative based on their own perceptions of the situation. Particularly when an opponent does something unexpected or a team mate misreads the play leaving the ball player to think outside the box and come up with their own creative solution to the problem in a very short space of time. The necessity to adjust and improvise from mistakes or errors provides more opportunities for the individual players own creative mind, technique and flair to shine as a solution.

Look out for the final part to this blog and feel free to ask any questions in the comments as we go.