The best examples of set piece drills for football: 3 examples coaches actually use

Let’s start with corners, because they’re the easiest place to steal goals if your team has even a basic level of organization. Here are real examples of set piece drills for football that go way beyond “everybody crash the box.”

Drill 1: Near-post crowd and flick-on (attacking corners)

Objective: Train a coordinated run pattern to attack the near post and create chaos for second balls.

Setup:

• Half field
• Corner flag with a server
• 5–7 attackers vs 4–6 defenders plus a goalkeeper

How it works:

• Start with three attackers at the top of the box, two inside the box, and one short option.
• On the server’s signal, one attacker sprints to the near post, one curves run to the penalty spot, and one drifts to the back post.
• The delivery target is a hard, driven ball to the near post runner, who tries to flick the ball across the six-yard box.
• Everyone else attacks zones: one for rebounds at the top of the box, one for the back post, one for the penalty spot.

Coaching points:

• Timing: the near-post runner should arrive as the ball is struck, not early.
• Communication: call the runs early (“Near!”, “Back!”, “Edge!”).
• Rebounds: emphasize finishing second balls – that’s where a lot of goals come from at every level.

Progression: Start unopposed, then add passive defenders, then full-pressure defenders trying to clear and counter. This is a classic example of a set piece drill that can be scaled from youth to college just by changing the intensity.

Drill 2: Short corner to overload one side (attacking corners)

Objective: Train a short-corner routine that pulls defenders out of shape and creates better crossing angles.

Setup:

• Same half-field setup
• 2 players stationed for the short corner, 3–4 in and around the box

How it works:

• Player A goes to take the corner, Player B comes short.
• A plays a short pass to B and immediately overlaps down the line.
• B can either:
  • Play A down the line for a better crossing angle, or
  • Combine inside with a third player arriving from the top of the box.
• In the box, attackers time their runs to attack front, middle, and back zones.

Coaching points:

• Decision-making: don’t force the short corner if it’s 2v3 – reset and switch to a traditional delivery.
• Body shape: first touch should open up the field, not close it off.
• Communication: clear call if you’re switching from a long corner to a short routine.

Why it matters in 2024–2025: At higher levels, teams are pressing short corners more aggressively. Training this as one of your best examples of set piece drills for football means your players learn when to actually use the short option and when to abandon it.

Drill 3: Defending corners with zonal + man-mark mix

Objective: Organize a hybrid defensive setup that mirrors what many pro and college teams are using in 2024–2025.

Setup:

• 6–8 defenders plus a goalkeeper
• 5–7 attackers

How it works:

• Assign 3–4 players to zonal positions: front post, middle of six-yard box, back post.
• Assign 2–3 players to man-mark the opponent’s biggest threats.
• The attacking team runs any of the previous corner routines.

Coaching points:

• Zonal players attack the ball, not the man.
• Markers stay touch-tight and block runs, not just stand next to their mark.
• Clear roles on second balls: who steps, who holds the line, who sprints out for the counter.

This drill is a strong example of a set piece drill for football that links directly to your defensive game model. You’re not just “defending corners”; you’re rehearsing how you want to transition out once you win the ball.

2. Free kick routines: examples of set piece drills for football from central and wide areas

Free kicks are where you see a big gap between teams that just “try their luck” and teams that train specific patterns. Below are some of the best examples of set piece drills for football you can run from both central and wide free-kick positions.

Drill 4: Central free kick – direct vs disguised layoff

Objective: Improve decision-making and execution on direct free kicks from 20–25 yards out.

Setup:

• Mannequins or cones as a wall (4–5 players)
• Goalkeeper in goal
• 3–4 attacking players around the ball

How it works:

• Player A is the primary shooter.
• Player B stands slightly behind or to the side of the ball.
• Player C and D are potential runners, one going over the wall, one going around the outside.
• On the whistle, the team either:
  • Takes a direct shot, or
  • Uses a short layoff from B to A or C for a disguised strike.

Coaching points:

• Vary the wall and keeper position to mimic real matches.
• Work both sides of the goal to develop right-foot and left-foot options.
• Use video or tracking apps if available to measure shot consistency over time.

In 2024–2025, more teams are using data to track set-piece efficiency – even at the college and semi-pro level. You don’t need pro-level analytics, but you can still log how many shots hit the target each session. For a general overview of performance tracking concepts in sport, the National Institutes of Health has open-access research on training load and performance monitoring here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

Drill 5: Wide free kick – curved runs and delayed arrival

Objective: Create rehearsed movement patterns for whipped balls from wide areas (around 25–35 yards from goal, near the sideline).

Setup:

• Ball placed near the touchline
• 5–7 attackers vs 4–6 defenders
• Server with strong crossing ability

How it works:

• One attacker starts deeper, making a late run to the top of the six-yard box.
• Two attackers start centrally, then split: one darts to the near post, one drifts to the back post.
• One player lurks at the top of the box for cutbacks or clearances.
• The server aims for a driven, curling ball between the penalty spot and six-yard line.

Coaching points:

• Emphasize curved runs that stay onside.
• Time the late run so the attacker arrives as the ball passes the near post.
• Practice both in-swingers and out-swingers.

This is one of those examples of set piece drills for football that looks simple, but when you rehearse the timing properly, it becomes a reliable source of chances.

Drill 6: Defensive wall and rebound reactions

Objective: Train defenders and the goalkeeper to handle direct free kicks and the chaotic seconds after the initial shot.

Setup:

• 4–5 defenders forming a wall
• 3–4 additional defenders in and around the box
• 2–3 attackers ready to pounce on rebounds
• Shooter 20–25 yards out

How it works:

• Shooter takes direct free kicks.
• Defenders in the wall jump or hold depending on the coach’s call.
• After the shot, the focus shifts to second-ball reactions: clearances, blocks, and marking runners.

Coaching points:

• Wall organization: who calls the number of players and the jump/no-jump strategy.
• Keeper positioning and footwork.
• Clear communication after rebounds: “Away!”, “Step!”, “Out!”

This drill is a good example of how set piece work also builds communication and leadership. For information on concussion risk and heading safety – something to consider when training repeated set pieces – you can review guidance from the CDC HEADS UP program: https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/

3. Throw-in routines: underrated examples of set piece drills for football

Throw-ins are one of the most undertrained situations, even though they happen dozens of times a game. Here are examples of set piece drills for football centered on throw-ins that can turn a “nothing” situation into a real attacking platform.

Drill 7: Quick restart throw-in to break pressure

Objective: Train players to recognize when a fast throw can catch opponents unorganized.

Setup:

• 8–12 players
• Mark a side channel about 15 yards wide along the sideline

How it works:

• Team A has the ball out of play for a throw.
• On the whistle, a defender from Team B must sprint back 10 yards before they can pressure the throw.
• The thrower looks to hit a checking run from a midfielder or forward.
• Play continues for 10–15 seconds to see if Team A can turn the throw into a forward pass or cross.

Coaching points:

• Encourage the thrower to have two or three options in mind before they pick up the ball.
• Focus on body shape of the receiver: can they receive on the half-turn and play forward?
• Stress speed: this is about catching opponents before they set up.

Drill 8: Long throw as an attacking weapon

Objective: Use a player with a long throw as a set piece weapon similar to a corner.

Setup:

• Ball placed near the attacking third sideline
• 5–7 attackers in and around the box
• 4–6 defenders plus goalkeeper

How it works:

• Designate one player as the long-throw specialist.
• Attackers use similar movement patterns to corner-kick routines: near-post runs, screens, and back-post drifts.
• The thrower aims for a specific zone (near post, penalty spot, or back post).

Coaching points:

• Work on the thrower’s technique and recovery: after the throw, can they drop into a defensive position quickly?
• Rehearse second-ball reactions – many goals from long throws come off knockdowns and scrambles.

Because long throws involve repeated overhead motion, it’s worth keeping an eye on shoulder health, especially with youth players. While not soccer-specific, Mayo Clinic has accessible guidance on overuse injuries and shoulder care here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/

Drill 9: Possession-focused throw-in patterns

Objective: Turn throw-ins in your own half into controlled possession instead of panicked clearances.

Setup:

• 6v4 or 7v5 in a 25x20 yard area along the sideline
• Team A has the throw, Team B presses to win it back

How it works:

• Team A’s goal: keep the ball for at least 5–7 passes after the throw.
• Team B presses aggressively to win the ball within 10 seconds.
• Rotate thrower and positions frequently.

Coaching points:

• Pre-planned movements: one player checks to feet, one spins in behind, one offers a backward safety option.
• Encourage players to think of throw-ins as mini set pieces – with clear patterns and roles.

This is one of the best examples of set piece drills for football if your team constantly loses the ball on throw-ins. You’re teaching players that every restart is an opportunity, not just dead time.

Putting it together: how to organize these examples of set piece drills for football

You now have more than just 3 isolated ideas; you’ve got multiple examples of set piece drills for football: 3 examples of core situations (corners, free kicks, throw-ins) with 6–8 specific routines you can rotate.

Here’s a simple way to build them into your week:

• Early in the season: dedicate a full 20–30 minutes twice a week to these set piece drills. Focus on teaching the patterns and roles.
• Mid-season: cut to 15–20 minutes once or twice a week, emphasizing timing, intensity, and decision-making.
• Late season/playoffs: keep the core routines, but spend more time on video review and small tweaks based on opponents’ tendencies.

A few practical tips from coaches who use these as their best examples of set piece drills for football:

• Rehearse under fatigue. Run a short small-sided game, then immediately switch to a set piece drill so players practice with tired legs and minds.
• Keep the language consistent. Use the same calls and code words every time (e.g., “Near crowd,” “Short 2,” “Back screen”).
• Track outcomes. Even simple notes like “We scored 2 goals from corners this month” can help you see if the work is paying off.

When you treat these scenarios as repeatable patterns instead of random chaos, your players start to believe that every corner, free kick, and throw-in is a real chance. That mindset shift alone can change matches.

FAQ: common questions about examples of set piece drills for football

Q1: What are some simple examples of set piece drills for football for youth teams?
For younger players, simplify the patterns. Use a basic near-post corner routine (one runner near, one back post, one at the top of the box), a direct free-kick drill with just a wall and a shooter, and a throw-in drill where players learn to check to the ball and play a simple pass back. These are still real examples of set piece drills for football, just with fewer moving parts.

Q2: How many set piece routines should a team have?
Most high school and college teams do well with 2–3 corner routines, 1–2 wide free-kick patterns, 1 central free-kick option, and 1–2 throw-in patterns in each third of the field. The goal isn’t to memorize 20 plays; it’s to have a small set of reliable examples of set piece drills for football that players can execute under pressure.

Q3: How often should we practice these examples of set piece drills?
At least once a week in-season. Early in the year, you might spend 20–30 minutes per session; later, 10–15 minutes is often enough to keep timing and communication sharp.

Q4: What is one example of a set piece drill that works at every level?
The near-post crowd and flick-on corner (Drill 1) is a classic. It creates chaos, is easy to teach, and scales from youth to adult levels. It’s a great example of a set piece drill for football that consistently produces chances.

Q5: How can I keep set piece drills from getting boring?
Keep score, add time limits, and rotate roles. For instance, award points for goals, shots on target, or successful clearances. Treat corners and free kicks like mini-competitions inside practice. When players feel like something is on the line, these examples of set piece drills for football become competitive instead of repetitive.