Set-pieces are crucial in modern football, and teams across the globe are putting a great emphasis on them. It’s no longer enough to rely on just having a talented squad or a good manager; teams are now investing in set-piece coaches to take their game to the next level. In this article, we’ll look at how set-piece coaches are helping teams win games and why they have become an integral part of modern football.
The Rise of Set-Piece Coaches in Football
In recent years, there has been a significant rise in the use of set-piece coaches in football. The importance of set-pieces has been recognised by many managers, and they are now hiring specialist coaches to improve their team’s set-piece success rate. This is especially true in the Premier League, where teams like Tottenham and Arsenal have employed set-piece coaches to work with their players.
What is a Set-Piece Coach?
A set-piece coach is a specialist coach who works specifically on set-pieces, such as free kicks, corners, and penalties. They analyze the opposition’s weaknesses and come up with strategies to exploit them. They also work on the team’s delivery, runs, and positioning during set-piece situations.
How Set-Piece Coaches Are Making a Difference
Set-piece coaches are making a significant impact on modern football. They are helping teams win games by improving their set-piece success rate. For example, Brentford FC, a newly-promoted team to the Premier League, has employed Andreas Georgson as their set-piece coach. Georgson has helped Brentford score six goals from set-pieces in their first five games of the season, making them one of the most dangerous teams from set-pieces in the league.
The Importance of Set-Pieces in Modern Football
Set-pieces have become increasingly important in modern football. With teams defending better and games becoming tighter, a well-executed set-piece can be the difference between winning and losing a game. The statistics show that around 40% of goals in the Premier League come from set-pieces, which highlights their importance.
The Role of Technology in Set-Pieces
Technology has played a significant role in the evolution of set-pieces in modern football. Teams now use data analytics to analyze the opposition’s set-piece weaknesses and develop strategies to exploit them. They also use video analysis to study their own set-piece routines and make improvements.
The Future of Set-Pieces in Football
The future of set-pieces in football looks bright. With the continued rise of set-piece coaches and the use of technology in analysing and improving set-pieces, we can expect to see even more emphasis placed on set-pieces in the future. It’s likely that we’ll see more teams invest in set-piece coaches and more specialist set-piece players emerge.
Premier League Set Piece Statistics for 2021-2022 Season
| Category | Total | Goals | Conversion Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corners | 2314 | 103 | 4.45% |
| Free Kicks | 1223 | 44 | 3.60% |
| Throw-Ins | 3136 | 9 | 0.29% |
| Penalties | 127 | 110 | 86.61% |
| Total Set Pieces | 6799 | 266 | 3.91% |
Based on the statistics from the Premier League for the 2021-2022 season, teams scored a total of 266 goals from set pieces out of 6,799 total set pieces. This gives a conversion rate of 3.91%, which shows the importance of set pieces in the game of football.
Interestingly, penalties have a much higher conversion rate of 86.61%, but only account for a small fraction of total set pieces. Corners and free kicks make up the majority of set pieces, with corners having the highest total number of set pieces at 2,314.
According to a recent article on The Athletic, set pieces can be a major factor in determining the success of a team in the Premier League. Teams that are proficient in set pieces, both in terms of defending and attacking, tend to do better in the league than those who struggle in this area.
For example, Brentford FC, who were promoted to the Premier League this season, have a dedicated set piece coach named Andreas Georgson. This has resulted in the team scoring 11 goals from set pieces this season, which is more than any other team in the league.
On the other hand, teams like Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have struggled with set pieces this season, with Arsenal having the lowest conversion rate from corners in the league at 1.2%. This highlights the importance of having a set piece coach and a solid strategy in place for set pieces.
Conclusion
Set-pieces are an integral part of modern football, and teams are increasingly investing in set-piece coaches to improve their chances of winning games. With the use of data analytics and video analysis, set-piece coaches are helping teams score more goals from set-pieces and exploit their opponents’ weaknesses. The future of set-pieces looks bright, and we can expect to see even more innovation in this area in the coming years.
FAQs
- What is a set-piece coach?
A set-piece coach is a specialist coach who works specifically on set-pieces, such as free kicks, corners, and penalties. - Why are set-pieces important in modern football?
With teams defending better and games becoming tighter, a well-executed set-piece can be the difference between winning and losing a game. - How do set-piece coaches work? Set-piece coaches work closely with the team’s manager and other coaches to develop strategies for set pieces. They study the opposition’s weaknesses and devise plans to exploit them