Week 31

Outcomes

• ✓Players can deliver an in-swinging corner to the near post with correct pace and flight
• ✓Players can execute a near-post flick-on for a far-post runner arriving in stride
• ✓Players can block a zonal-marking defender to create a free run to the far post
• ✓Players can position correctly as a second-ball option outside the box on every set piece

Equipment

• 12 cones
• 6 bibs (3 colours)
• 4 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 2 goalkeepers
• 1 whiteboard + marker

Run of show

1. 1. Activation & 11+ Warm-Up

   15m

   Set up: Full squad in two lines across the 18-yard box area. Cones mark near-post, far-post, and penalty-spot positions.

   How to run it: FIFA 11+ protocol, then a heading warm-up: pairs throw-and-head across 5 yds (10 reps each), progress to moving headers (receiver runs to the ball, 10 reps each), then a coach-served cross to the near post for a flick-on (5 reps each). Finish with two 20-yd sprint accelerations.

   • ›Head the ball with the forehead – not the top of the skull
   • ›Near-post flick-on: redirect the ball, don't try to score – send it across the goal
   • ›Body shape on a header: arch back, then snap forward through the ball

2. 2. Technical/Functional Practice – Corner Routine Rehearsal

   15m

   Set up: Full-size goal with goalkeeper. Corner flag in position. Two routines: Routine A (near-post flick) and Routine B (far-post delivery). Assign roles: corner taker, near-post runner, far-post runner, penalty-spot runner, second-ball midfielder.

   How to run it: Rehearse Routine A: in-swinging corner to the near post, near-post player flicks across to the far-post runner who finishes on the far side. Then rehearse Routine B: out-swinging corner to the far post, penalty-spot runner attacks the ball in flight, near-post player blocks the defender. Run each routine 5 times from each side, rotating roles.

   • ›Corner taker: practise from both sides – match the swing to the routine (in-swing for near-post, out-swing for far-post)
   • ›Near-post flick: arrive 1 yd before the near post, not at it – give yourself space to redirect
   • ›Penalty-spot runner: take a curved run from the 18-yard line to attack the ball with pace
   • ›Defenders: simulate a zonal defensive line for the routine to be realistic

3. 3. Skill/Phase Game – 9v6 Set Piece Practice

   15m

   Set up: Full-size goal with goalkeeper. 9 attackers (taking the corner and runners) vs 6 defenders. Rotate roles every 4 corners.

   How to run it: Attacking team calls 'Routine A' or 'Routine B' before each corner. Defending team of 6 sets up in a combination of zonal and man-marking. Attacking team earns a point for a goal or a corner that creates an on-target attempt. Defending team earns a point for a clearance beyond the penalty spot. Rotate sides (left/right corners) each round.

   • ›Box must be organised before the corner is taken – no last-minute drifting
   • ›Pre-corner movement: decoy runners pull defenders before the real runners make their move
   • ›Second-ball midfielder: stay just outside the box and be ready to shoot on a clearance

4. 4. Conditioned Tactical Game – Set Piece in Match Context

   20m

   Set up: Full 60×44 yd pitch. 9v9 with goalkeepers. Every 5 minutes, coach stops play and awards a corner to either team regardless of match action – this creates 8 corner rehearsals in the session.

   How to run it: Play 9v9 normally but every 5 minutes the coach calls a corner for a named team. That team must quickly set up their chosen routine and execute it within 30 seconds. Defend/attack the set piece live, then resume normal play. Goal from a set piece counts double.

   • ›Organisation speed: the team must communicate the routine and get into position within 30 seconds
   • ›Goalkeeper: command the box – come for everything in your zone
   • ›Attacking team: if the first routine fails, exploit the defensive disorganisation with a quick second corner
   • ›Non-box attackers hold position to prevent counter-attacks

5. 5. Scrimmage – Free Play

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch, 9v9, goalkeepers.

   How to run it: Open scrimmage. Coach pays attention to set pieces that naturally arise from play and whether players execute the routines without prompting.

   • ›Observe whether players self-organise into corner routine positions
   • ›Note any defensive organisation from corners – that feeds into next week's defending session

6. 6. Cool-Down & Debrief

   5m

   Set up: Circle on the centre spot.

   How to run it: Light stretching while reviewing: 'What are the key roles in Routine A and Routine B?' Players name them. Coach reinforces: 'Set pieces are your best chance to score against an organised defence – they must be automatic.'

   • ›Positive close: which routine worked best today?
   • ›Preview Session 2: attacking free kicks

Outcomes

• ✓Players can strike a direct free kick with power and accuracy over/around a 4-player wall
• ✓Players can execute a dummy-run free kick that deceives the wall and enables a driven cutback or through ball
• ✓Players can organise the free-kick routine quickly (within 20 seconds of the foul) with correct positioning
• ✓Players can follow up a saved or cleared free kick as a second-phase ball winner

Equipment

• 10 cones
• 1 foam wall (or 4 poles side by side)
• 4 bibs (2 colours)
• 4 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 2 goalkeepers
• 1 whiteboard + marker

Run of show

1. 1. Activation & 11+ Warm-Up

   15m

   Set up: Full squad in two lines 8 yds apart in a 30×20 yd strip. Foam wall or poles set up at one end.

   How to run it: FIFA 11+ warm-up, then a shooting warm-up: each player strikes 3 shots from 20 yds over the foam wall at the top corner, focusing on locked ankle, low approach angle, and follow-through. Increase distance to 25 yds for the final two reps. Finish with two 25-yd acceleration runs.

   • ›Strike through the centre of the ball to keep it low or dip it – not under it
   • ›Non-kicking foot 2 yds back and to the side; don't be too close to the ball
   • ›Follow through toward the target corner – don't stop the leg

2. 2. Technical/Functional Practice – Free Kick Routine Rehearsal

   15m

   Set up: Full-size goal with goalkeeper. Wall of 4 players set up at 9.15 m. Three routines: Direct (over the wall), Indirect-Cutback (dummy run + driven ball across), Indirect-Through (over the wall + runner in behind).

   How to run it: Rehearse each routine 4 times from three different angles (central, left, right). Direct: shooter strikes over or around the wall to the top corner. Indirect-Cutback: first player runs over the ball (dummy), second player plays a low cutback to the penalty spot where a third player arrives. Indirect-Through: player runs over the ball, second player lifts the ball over the wall for a runner who has started behind the wall.

   • ›Wall must jump on direct free kicks – coach their timing (jump on the shooter's plant foot landing)
   • ›Dummy runner must approach the ball with conviction to sell the deception
   • ›Cutback player: disguise direction by looking to the far side before cutting to near side
   • ›Second-phase position: one player always on the edge of the box for the rebound

3. 3. Skill/Phase Game – 9v6 Free Kick Practice

   15m

   Set up: Full-size goal with goalkeeper. 9 attackers (free kick takers and runners) vs 6 defenders setting up a wall and covering runners. Call the routine before each rep.

   How to run it: Attacking team calls their routine. Defenders set a 4-player wall plus 2 covering runners. Attacking team earns a point for a goal or an on-target attempt from the routine. Defending team earns a point for a clearance. Rotate roles every 5 free kicks. Use different distances (20–25 yds) and angles.

   • ›Routine must be called in 10 seconds – no standing around debating
   • ›Goalkeeper: command the wall's positioning and check it before the kick is taken
   • ›Attacking team: if the routine breaks down, look for a penalty-spot run

4. 4. Conditioned Tactical Game – Set Piece in Match Context

   20m

   Set up: Full 60×44 yd pitch. 9v9 with goalkeepers. Coach awards a free kick in a dangerous area every 5 minutes, alternating between teams.

   How to run it: Play 9v9 with coach-awarded free kicks every 5 minutes. The team awarded the free kick must execute a routine within 20 seconds. Goal from a free kick routine counts double. Normal play resumes after each free kick (or if the ball goes out of play). Observe both attacking and defensive set-piece organisation.

   • ›Speed of organisation is a competitive advantage – be faster than the opposition every time
   • ›Goalkeeper: after a routine is signalled, set the wall before worrying about positioning
   • ›Attacking players not in the routine: hold positions to prevent a counter-attack
   • ›Defending team: communicate quickly – who is in the wall, who is covering the runners

5. 5. Scrimmage – Free Play

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch, 9v9, goalkeepers.

   How to run it: Open scrimmage. Coach observes free-kick decisions and routine execution from naturally occurring fouls.

   • ›Are players communicating the routine without prompting?
   • ›Is the wall setting quickly and jumping together?

6. 6. Cool-Down & Debrief

   5m

   Set up: Circle, static stretching.

   How to run it: Light stretching while reviewing the three free-kick routines by name. Coach asks: 'Which routine do we use from a central position 22 yards out? Which from a wide angle at 18 yards?' Players answer. Close positively.

   • ›Reinforce: the best routine is the one the team executes with conviction, not the most complicated one
   • ›Preview next week: throw-in tactics