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David Brownlie

Assistant Manager at Motherwell WFC

UEFA A Licensed Candidate | UEFA B Youth Licence

BSc Football, Coaching, Performance and Development

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Why Set Pieces Deserve More Than 10 Minutes at the End of Training

Set pieces have become one of the most decisive moments in modern football.

Not just at the elite level, but across all levels of the game.

Yet in many training environments, they are still treated as an afterthought.

A useful reference point comes from FC Midtjylland and their data-led approach to performance.

Insights from their model suggest that:

Around 25–30% of all goals come from set plays
Teams can generate 15–25 goals per season through effective set-piece strategies
And across a league campaign, each goal is worth roughly one point

If these numbers are even close to accurate, the implication is clear:

Set pieces are not marginal — they are fundamental.

We can also see this in practice with teams like Arsenal FC.

Their recent success from attacking set plays highlights the impact of:

Detailed planning
Rehearsed movement
Clear player roles

There is a visible structure behind every delivery.

What is perhaps even more interesting is where football is starting to look for inspiration.

Clubs have explored ideas from the National Football League and National Basketball Association — sports where set plays are a central part of performance.

In these environments:

Movements are choreographed
Space is manipulated intentionally
Players understand precise roles

Very little is left to chance.

Despite this, in many coaching environments, set pieces are still:

Delivered at the end of sessions
Practised with limited intensity
Rehearsed without opposition

This creates a disconnect between training and match reality.

If we consider the principles of transfer of training, this becomes a key issue.

For behaviours to transfer effectively into matches, they must be trained under similar conditions:

Pressure
Physical contact
Decision-making demands

Without these elements, even well-designed routines may break down.

This suggests that the focus should not simply be on doing more set pieces, but on coaching them differently.

Adding realistic opposition
Increasing intensity
Clarifying roles and objectives
Repeating actions under pressure
Conclusion

Set pieces represent one of the few moments in football where teams can exert a high level of control.

And if, as suggested by FC Midtjylland, they contribute significantly to goals and points across a season, then their importance within training should reflect that.

They are no longer an add-on.

They are an opportunity to gain a real competitive advantage.

Why Constraints Might Be a Coach’s Most Powerful Tool

Coaching is often associated with instruction.

Telling players where to stand, what to do, and how to do it.

But increasingly, research is pointing towards a different approach.

The Idea Behind Constraints

The constraints-led approach focuses on shaping behaviour through the design of the environment.

Instead of giving constant instructions, coaches manipulate:

Space
Time
Number of players
Rules

This creates situations where players must solve problems.

What Research Suggests

Learning is more effective when players:

Explore solutions
Adapt to changing situations
Make decisions under pressure

Rather than being told the “correct” answer, they discover it.

Why This Matters

Football is unpredictable.

There is rarely one correct solution.

By using constraints, players develop:

Tactical awareness
Decision-making
Adaptability
Applying It in Coaching

Instead of saying:
“Play wider”

You might:

Increase pitch width
Add wide target zones

Instead of saying:
“Play quicker”

You might:

Limit touches
Add time pressure

The behaviour emerges naturally.

Final Thought

Sometimes, the most effective coaching comes from saying less.

And designing better.

Because:

Good sessions don’t just tell players what to do — they help them discover it.

Why Some Training Doesn’t Transfer to Matches

Watch many training sessions and everything looks sharp.

Passes are crisp. Movements are clean. Patterns are repeated successfully.

But when the game starts, those same actions often break down.

Why?

The Problem: Transfer

One of the biggest challenges in coaching is transfer — the ability for training behaviours to appear in match situations.

Football is unpredictable.

Players must constantly adapt to:

Opponents
Pressure
Space
Time constraints

Which means performance is not just execution, but decision-making under pressure.

What Research Suggests

Research consistently shows that transfer improves when training environments are:

Representative of the game
Opposed
Decision-rich

Practices that remove pressure may improve technique in isolation, but often fail to replicate match demands.

Why It Breaks Down

In many cases, training focuses on:

Repetition without context
Pre-planned movements
Low-pressure environments

This can create the illusion of learning.

But without the need to perceive, decide, and adapt, players struggle to apply those skills in real games.

Applying It in Coaching

A key question for session design:

Does this practice transfer to the game?

Simple ways to improve transfer:

Add opposition early
Include decision-making triggers
Design practices around real game moments

For example:
Instead of rehearsing a passing pattern unopposed, build it into a small-sided game where players must recognise when to use it.

Final Thought

Training success doesn’t always equal match success.

But the closer our practices reflect the demands of the game, the more likely that learning will transfer.

Because ultimately:

If it doesn’t show up on matchday, has it really been learned?

Opposed vs Unopposed Training: Are We Preparing Players for the Game?

Watch most training sessions and you’ll still see large amounts of unopposed practice.

Passing patterns. Shadow play. Technical repetition.

And in the right moment, that has value.

But there’s a bigger question underneath it all:

If football is played under constant pressure… why do we so often remove it in training?

What the Game Actually Demands

Football is built on interaction.

Every action a player makes is influenced by:

>Teammates
>Opponents
>Space
>Time pressure

Which means performance isn’t just about execution, it’s about decision-making.

This is where opposed practices become crucial.

Research consistently highlights that training environments which include opposition:

>Improve perception-action coupling
>Enhance decision-making under pressure
>Increase transfer from training to match scenarios

In simple terms:

Players don’t just learn what to do, they learn when and why to do it.

Where Unopposed Practice Still Fits

That doesn’t mean unopposed work should disappear.

It still plays a role, particularly when:

>Introducing a new concept
>Building confidence in a movement
>Isolating a specific technical action

In these moments, reducing complexity can help players understand the basics.

But the limitation is clear:

Without pressure, there is no decision.

And without decision-making, learning becomes disconnected from the game.

A More Effective Approach: Blending Both

For me, the focus isn’t choosing between opposed or unopposed.

It’s about sequencing them properly.

A simple progression:

>Unopposed – What does the action look like?
>Semi-opposed – Can you recognise when to use it?
>Fully opposed – Can you execute it under pressure?
>Game-based – Does it transfer?

This bridges the gap between understanding and performance.

Final Thought

The game doesn’t pause to let players think.

So the closer our training reflects that reality, the more effective it becomes.

Because ultimately:

If a player can’t do it under pressure, can they really do it at all?

How do you structure your sessions when introducing new concepts?

Pressing Against A 3-4-3 Formation

Pressing Movement and Triggers Against a 3-4-3.

Playing in a 5-2-2-1 shape out of possession allows us to minimise space for their key players centrally to receive the ball and cause a threat. If we looks to force wide in a mid-block or low-block shape, to then engage aggressively once the ball goes wide, we can steal and counter attack into wide areas against their backline. It is important to keep play one side once we set the trap to press, as the danger is if the opposition switch to opposite side and create an attacking overload.

Pressing Shape in Open Play

Pressing Shape in Open Play Against 4-3-3 and 3-5-2 Formations.

4-3-3 we can ask the opposite wide player be inside the triangle if the ball gets switched to then engage the centre back to steal and attack the goal. If they manage to play through that press, the animation shows the movement of players to cover for the wide player and delay the attack for the opposition.

3-5-2 we look to press aggressively and ask out wide players to show in the pitch rather than wide to their wingback. Rationale behind this is to allow our RB to jump to the wingback in time, as we show them in the pitch and it creates and extra pass before it reaches the wingback. If we can steal centrally to then counter attack, then that is even better.

Transitional Practice - Defence to Attack

Attacking and Defending Transition Practice

3 Teams
1 Neutral Central
2 Neutral Wide

Aim is to defend your half and once you regain you find the central neutral player to attack the opposite half. Team that lost possession replaces that half for the next transition phase towards their goal. If the attacking team score, they will get a new ball from coach fed in from the side to attack the opposite direction.

Can change number of players, number of neutrals and the area they are in to adapt practice.

Testimonials

“I have known David in my role as Course Leader for the Scottish FA on the Football Coaching, Performance & Development programme at Edinburgh Napier University. He has consistently demonstrated himself to be an outstanding student and a clear leader within his cohort. The quality of his work across all course modules has been of the highest standard, reflecting his academic ability and his professionalism. His understanding of the game is excellent and clearly informed by his experience as a professional player. This insight has translated into his coaching practice, where he has consistently shown a high level of competence, clarity, and effectiveness.” - Ian Donnelly: Coach Education & Development Manager, Scottish FA

“I have worked closely with David at Rangers Girls Academy, Queen’s Park WFC, and Motherwell FC Women, and he has been an outstanding member of my coaching staff throughout. He played a key role in the implementation of the game model and football philosophy at both Queen’s Park and Motherwell, translating ideas into well-structured training sessions and effective match preparation. David made a significant contribution to performance and opposition analysis and was instrumental in helping create a new team identity at Queen’s Park WFC. He is highly trustworthy, detail driven, and builds strong relationships with both players and staff, making him a valued and dependable colleague.” - Iain Robinson: Head Coach, Motherwell FC Women & Former Head Coach, Queen’s Park WFC

“I worked closely with David during his time within the Rangers FC Girls Academy, where he consistently demonstrated excellent attention to detail, a strong work ethic, and a high level of game knowledge. His training sessions were well planned, clearly structured, and aligned with the academy’s game model. David built strong, positive relationships with both players and staff, earning trust through his clear communication and professionalism. He made a valuable contribution to the academy and has the qualities required to succeed in high performance environments.” - Todd Lumsden: Girls Academy Manager, Rangers Football Club

''David Brownlie is a highly motivated and experienced coach who has worked across all levels of the game, from grassroots participation to elite performance environments. He possesses a strong educational background and is recognised for his excellent work ethic and professional approach. David is highly personable and effective in his communication, with a proven ability to maximise player performance and identify the key developmental needs required for individual and collective progression''' - Gary Gibson: Head of International Soccer Academies, Rangers Football Club

Player Development

Sophie Black, Rangers FC: 

Coached over two years at Rangers Girls Academy; supported progression through Scotland U16–U19 and transition into Rangers Women’s First Team (SWPL 1). Focus on positional play, decision-making, and senior-level consistency.

Lily Boyce, Rangers FC: 

Two-season coaching support; Scotland U16–U19 international and U16/U17 captain. Supported First Team integration with appearances across SWPL 1 & 2. Focus on leadership, tactical discipline, and game management.

May Cruft, Rangers FC: 

Coached for two years; dual England/Scotland youth international. Player of the Match vs Spain; regular Rangers First Team squad member. Focus on position-specific roles and elite performance standards.

Laura Berry, Rangers FC: 

One-year coaching support; Scotland U16–U19 international. Multiple SWPL 1 appearances, contributing goals at senior level. Focus on attacking movement, final-third output, and confidence at first-team level.

Mia McAuley, Rangers FC: 

One-year coaching support; Scotland U16–U19 international. Regular Rangers Women’s First Team starter, contributing goals and assists in SWPL 1. Focus on 1v1 effectiveness and attacking output.

Rangers FC Girls U17, Double Cup Winners: 

Coaching staff member in double cup-winning season. Player progression outcomes: 6 to SWPL 1, 5 to SWPL 2, 1  to NCAA Division 1. Strong evidence of effective player pathway delivery.