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

Conclusion

My reflection on bringing these thoughts together and writing this article leads me to the suggestion that Set-Pieces should not just be viewed as means to and end of scoring or denying goals, but more as an extremely useful starting point in coaching players many areas of the wider the game that can be sometimes challenging within Futsal’s fast based tempo. They offer a more controlled and stable starting point, whilst at the same time being genuine and realistic experiences of the game to players.  For coaches the benefit of focusing and using set pieces provides a “chunking” framework for players and team tactical development; defending corners, defending opponents high, mid and low kick ins for example can all provide opportunities for different in game defensive systems (i.e. deep block and emergency defending, diamond or 2-2 half court zonal, full court pressing with exchanges or sticking man to man)

At our last home match, we had over 20 attacking set play opportunities and faced nearly double this figure in defending set play opportunities (Corners, kick-ins, free kicks and kick offs). Using these set piece opportunities as staring points I greatly believe can add significant “Value” to a player’s and coaches’ development.  The values gained from set pieces is not just limited to the section of attacking or defending set pieces within a team’s game model, but I believe transfers through many other areas of attacking principles, defending principles, transition phases and the technical development of players. I am encouraged that the elements of technical and skillful execution of attacking set plays that we practice from a controlled starting point have been built up in the players repertoire and are beginning to become embedded into their open play attacking actions.

It’s worth noting and recognising that at our current stage of development as a team we haven’t worked too much on press breakers from Goal keepers or low kick-ins, purely as opponents in our division and level of BUCS Futsal typically prefer to sit deep and defend their own half. I am excited to see what value looking at these specific high-pressure set-piece scenarios have on the players development in the future.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this and I would welcome any comments or questions.

Thanks,

Mark