Mastering the Secrets of Set-Piece Magic: Unlocking the Winning Formula with Specialist Coach Andy Parslow

The emergence of specialized coaches for set-pieces has become a crucial advancement in football, as the sport constantly seeks an advantage. However, it begs the question of what their actual responsibilities are and who are the latest trailblazers in this field. Shedding some light on this matter is Andy Parslow, who has served as a restarts coach at Wimbledon and a specialist set-piece coach at Swansea, significantly enhancing both teams' performance records. At first, the players showed a degree of hesitant curiosity, as Parslow delicately describes it, but that perception has since evolved.

Cardiff City

Swansea City

Saturday 16th September 7:30pm

Kick off 7:45pm

Football has undergone significant changes, particularly in the approach to set pieces. According to Parslow, there has been a shift towards a more sophisticated mindset. Instead of focusing on assigning blame, teams are now investing more thought into their set-piece strategies. In fact, clubs are even employing dedicated staff to handle this aspect of the game.

At the highest level of the game, each point and goal can have immense value, even worth millions. Therefore, investing in a specialized coach for set-pieces can result in significant rewards. According to Parslow, this investment yields a substantial return despite being relatively small. Currently, the market for set-piece coaches is not untapped but rather underappreciated and somewhat misunderstood. Just like in any aspect of life, there are people in football who resist change. When Jurgen Klopp introduced a throw-in coach, it caused ridicule among certain sections of the media.

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Casemiro's goal against Nottingham Forest for Manchester United was a result of a well-executed set-piece routine. Parslow believes that these small advantages are an integral part of the game and contribute to a team's increased likelihood of achieving success.

Parslow emphasizes that your purpose is not to become a star, but to aid the team. This role may not be glamorous, but it serves to help the team secure a victory in a game of soccer. He is not interested in innovation just for the sake of it, as he believes there is a risk in making things overly complex.

Parslow points out that the corner spot and the goal remain unchanged. Therefore, while there are no restrictions on what you can do, there is likely a limit to what is necessary. The objective remains to prevent goals at one end and to score them at the other. His approach to set pieces is straightforward.

"Be good at scoring bad goals."

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Andy Parslow worked as a specialist set-pieces coach for Swansea City

However, how can a team achieve this? While the coach cannot fully control the quality of delivery, Parslow places a significant emphasis on what follows. As a coach, it is crucial to consider where the ball could potentially go next. For example, if a cross is overhit, do we have a player ready to capitalize on the situation? If the ball is intercepted by the first defender and cleared, do we have someone prepared to swiftly attack the ball and maintain the offensive pressure? By exploiting the chaos before the defense can properly regroup, we can seize advantageous opportunities.

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The number of zones included in the box and the number of second-contact areas we cover significantly influence our chances of creating opportunities. Dependence solely on a flawless routine can severely restrict our ability to score. Therefore, it is essential to incorporate dynamic movement within the penalty box.

To gain an advantage, you must tilt the odds in your favor. As a defender, when my opponent moves from point A to point B, I am faced with a single decision. However, if they begin at the back, cover two yards, make a pause, change direction, and then move behind, suddenly I have to consider five or six different things.

It is important to keep in mind that the ball is approaching the penalty area, and I also need to anticipate its destination. By introducing these additional factors, you amplify the complexity of the situation, heighten the chances of making an incorrect decision, and ultimately increase the likelihood of a scoring opportunity.

When these changes are combined, the results can be significant. This is evident by the successes of Wimbledon and Swansea in their respective seasons. In League One's 2021/22 season, Wimbledon experienced a remarkable 83% increase in goals scored from set pieces, totaling 18 goals. The impact was so profound that the team's dedication was unquestionable, as evidenced by their willingness to execute even unconventional strategies like cartwheels in the box. Similarly, Swansea exhibited remarkable improvement, achieving a six-fold increase in set-piece goals compared to the previous season.

Working as a consultant for clubs in the Football League and beyond, Parslow is eager to resume a full-time position. He compares this to going to the gym, where consistent 15-minute sessions yield better results than one day of eight hours and then never going again.

In the meantime, he shares his preferred set-piece innovations of the current season and debunks some misconceptions by answering five common questions about corner routines.

One strategy I have found intriguing is when teams position all 10 outfield players up for the corner, leaving no one back on the halfway line. This approach has been adopted by several Premier League clubs, some in the Championship, and I even witnessed Burton Albion implementing it in League One.

By implementing this tactic, the defending team is compelled to handle the ball as it approaches the box, while also having to account for the increased presence of short passing options surrounding them. Furthermore, once the ball is eventually cleared, there is a greater likelihood of it being swiftly returned into play due to the enclosed nature of the edge of the box.

In terms of the delivery itself, creating defensive confusion is beneficial. Parslow remarks, "One strategy I admire, which Brentford have executed effectively and Tottenham implemented last season, involves adopting a highly ambiguous starting position that prevents the anticipation of the planned routine."

"Shortly before the ball is delivered into the penalty area, the players swiftly transition into their designated positions, making it significantly more challenging for the defenders to track their movements. This tactic instills a greater sense of panic and intensifies the pressure on the defenders. I appreciate this innovative approach."

Casemiro's goal against Nottingham Forest is particularly notable for Parslow. Bruno Fernandes made a horizontal pass before positioning himself to receive the ball back. "As the play shifts, all attention is focused on the ball. Fernandes ends up being the least concerning player for the defenders," he clarifies.

"The ball has been shifted to the opposite side, essentially changing the game, which allows him to move without being marked. Additionally, Casemiro's initial position is offside, giving him an advantage by being ahead of the defensive line. Upon receiving the ball, he is now onside, making for an effortless finish."

Alexander Isak scored for Newcastle against Aston Villa using the same tactic. They cleverly altered the direction of the free-kick, lofting the ball towards Dan Burn, who easily tapped it in as Isak arrived from an offside position. I appreciate the aspect of changing the angle as it presents a novel challenge.

Teams anticipate and train for that specific moment when the ball is placed for a free-kick. By shifting the point of attack, it disrupts the opposing team's mentality and forces them to question their next move. It's a strategy that cannot be employed too frequently, but it serves to maintain an element of surprise and unpredictability.

INNOVATIONS OF THE SEASON SO FAR

QUESTIONS ABOUT CORNERS EXPLAINED

One common frustration for fans is witnessing a failed attempt to beat the defender at the near post during a cross. "I am aware that it irritates people," Parslow acknowledges. "However, humans are fallible and prone to making errors. The delivery of the cross cannot always be perfect. This is simply part of football; it happens."

The reason why corner takers drive the ball rapidly towards the near post is because there is a higher potential for reward when taking risks. "Naturally, this strategy is employed because the team is attempting to attack the near post. Generally, if the first contact is won at the near post, it becomes difficult for the defenders to defend," Parslow further explains.

When it comes to defending with my markers, my top priority is preventing the opponent from getting ahead. If they manage to slip away from them from behind, there is still a chance to react and adjust as the ball needs to travel over their head. However, once you are beaten in front, your chances of success diminish.

This area is especially susceptible to goals, which is why teams focus on targeting it. However, due to its vulnerability, teams place great importance on safeguarding this zone. Although it is not an easy skill to deliver the ball accurately into this area, persistence might pay off as it could work on the ninth attempt, even if not on the previous eight.

Why do corners not beat the first defender?

West Ham's opener in their victory over Chelsea in August reignited the ongoing debate. "Conor Gallagher was assigned to mark Nayef Aguerd, who ultimately scored from James Ward-Prowse's corner. It's likely that questions were raised as to why Gallagher was chosen for this role.

"However, his primary objective was not to win the header. Instead, he was expected to disrupt the flow of play just enough to allow the designated zones to regain control and secure the header. From my standpoint, the zones needed to demonstrate a more proactive approach in challenging for the ball during that particular goal. Consequently, various misconceptions arise surrounding this topic.

Why have small players mark tall players?

Moreover, the insistence on having a smaller player mark a larger opponent stems from the fact that the prominent players are often preoccupied with their specific positions on the field. When employing a zonal marking strategy with five players, the primary objective is to secure the initial contact and win the ball. The assigned markers, on the other hand, are entrusted with the responsibility of disrupting the opponent's gameplay.

Contrarily, one might question why teams do not simply target their tallest attacker in every situation. The answer lies in the realization that height does not always equate to proficiency in aerial challenges. Surprisingly, some towering individuals are not particularly adept at heading the ball, whereas smaller players possess exceptional skills in attacking aerial balls.

When considering strategy, it is crucial to incorporate the element of surprise. It is essential to note that targeting the largest opponent may be an obvious choice, making it the route that the opposing team is most likely prepared for. Instead, I prefer to assess our team's strongest advantage and focus on that.

It is important to recognize that a player's scoring record is not always the most accurate measure of their effectiveness during corner kicks. For example, last season, Millwall achieved great success with Jake Cooper, who stands at approximately 6'5" and consistently wins a considerable number of initial contacts from corner kicks, shares Parslow.

Millwall

Leeds United

Sunday 17th September 11:30am

Kick off 12:00pm

The strategy involved hoisting the ball high near the penalty spot, allowing him to make initial contact. However, their focus was not on scoring from that particular play. Instead, they relied on their determined strikers to capitalize on the ensuing chaos and scrappy moments, leading to numerous goals. Their objective was to draw in more defenders and create a flurry of confusion, ultimately resulting in additional scoring opportunities. This tactical approach is executed proficiently by certain teams.

Why not aim for the tallest player?

"To start with, it is crucial to consider the assets your team possesses for attacking corners. If your team lacks height, relying on crossing the ball into the box may not be the most effective strategy. On the other hand, if your opponents have a towering squad, such a tactic could play into their hands and therefore wouldn't make much sense.

"Thus, opting for alternative approaches, such as protecting against your own weakness or exploiting any structural vulnerabilities in the opposition's defensive setup, might be the way to go. Taking a short corner, for example, could create better opportunities for your team rather than simply delivering the ball into the box."

The threat of a short corner can be valuable in creating doubt among the opposing team. Brentford demonstrates their expertise in this aspect of the game by employing two takers, typically Mathias Jensen and Bryan Mbeumo, along with another player positioned nearby or at the near edge of the penalty area.

At times, they may still deliver the ball into the box, but their primary objective is to generate more uncertainty. This strategic approach forces the opposition to question whether to engage, and if so, how far to go knowing they cannot reach the ball entirely. As a result, they may attempt to gain a few extra yards, ultimately creating additional space within the penalty area.

If the short corner sparks discontent, another common complaint from fans is the decision to have the entire team drop back to defend rather than leaving some attackers forward to pose a counter-attacking threat. Parslow elaborates on the logic behind this strategy.

"A fundamental principle of football is that you aim to create space when on the attack, whereas when defending, you aim to limit the available space. One effective method of restricting space is by having more players present. With more bodies inside the 18-yard box, there is less room for attackers to make penetrating runs."

However, there are certain limitations to consider. One drawback is that it can lead to increased traffic and obstruct defenders' attempts to initiate an attack on the ball. Additionally, the rationale behind various teams adopting distinct defensive strategies for corners typically relies on the composition and strengths of their respective squads.

This situation presents a dilemma since, in general, if one player remains forward during a corner, opposing teams tend to keep two defenders back. Nevertheless, the decision ultimately hinges on the available resources within the team. Certain players may struggle to contribute defensively, and in such cases, it might be more advantageous to keep them stationed on the halfway line.