Tactics / Set pieces

A kick-off routine

A rehearsed kick-off: pass back into midfield, then a long ball into the channel for a winger who is already running.

Set piecesFrom 9v9Match moment: Our kick-off

91067118GK
  • Us
  • Them
  • Pass
  • Run
  • Dribble

Why it works

At kick-off the other team is set and waiting. A practised move puts the ball in their half, behind their full-back, in a few seconds.

What players do

  • Everyone knows the routine before the match: who passes, who runs.
  • The ball goes back first, to draw their forwards forward.
  • The winger starts the run as the ball comes back.
  • The long ball goes into the channel, not to the winger's feet.

Common mistakes

  • The winger runs too early and is offside (from 9v9).
  • The long ball goes out of play.
  • Everyone watching instead of following up.

With young players

A nice confidence routine. Swap who takes the kick-off and who makes the run.

Drawn on a 105 × 68 m pitch, showing the part where it happens. Orange attacks left to right and the other team is in blue; numbers are the usual shirt numbers for each position.

Put it into your own team's plan in the team builder, and see what it asks of each player.

Next: Play through the full-back

What it asks of each player

The same idea, from every line of the team. Set it up for your own team in the team builder.

  • GK
    Goalkeeper
    • Be ready: if they win it, they will attack quickly.
    • Stand higher than usual.

    Position guide: Goalkeeper

  • DEF
    Defenders
    • Push up with the long ball.
    • Win the second ball.

    Position guide: Centre-back · Full-back

  • MID
    Midfielders
    • Receive the back pass, look up, and play long early.
    • Aim into the channel, not at the winger.

    Position guide: Holding midfielder · Central midfielder · Attacking midfielder

  • ATT
    Forwards
    • Winger: start your run as the ball goes back.
    • Striker: attack the second ball.

    Position guide: Winger · Striker

Practices that train it

Start with the first, and build up to the game.