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.