Why are set pieces so chaotic?

[Palacesince64]

We saw again yesterday how corners and throw ins created chaos in both boxes. It’s been the big feature this season with Arsenal’s group run at corners and every team utilising a long throw specialist. It’s got me wondering what’s changed. Could be a number of factors.
Defensively you used to see tall centre backs attacking crosses and heading them well clear or keepers commanding the six yard box and coming to collect or punch the ball. Today’s keeper is more likely to be good with his feet and able to play like a centre back than be physically dominant in a crowded box. Added to which it seems that blocking the keeper and wrestling with opponents is acceptable nowadays and rarely penalised. There are maybe a couple of players in the attacking team whose job is to attack the ball while the rest block their counterparts by whatever means possible.
Centre backs seem to have lost the skill of heading clear and I wonder if it’s now because it’s considered inappropriate to practice heading during training. Gordon McQueen was one who developed dementia attributed to heading the ball. It was said heading during the game was minimal compared with the hours of practice during training, the ball being much heavier then too.
On the subject of the ball, they keep changing the technology and perhaps the new Premier League ball is also a factor with its increased movement in the air causing problems especially if delivered fast and relatively low by a skilled corner taker.
Whatever the factors, the rise of the set pieces coach is likely to continue perhaps with greater emphasis on how best to counter what has become the most effective weapon for attacking teams.

 

[RubinsCube]

We saw again yesterday how corners and throw ins created chaos in both boxes. It’s been the big feature this season with Arsenal’s group run at corners and every team utilising a long throw specialist. It’s got me wondering what’s changed. Could be a number of factors.
Defensively you used to see tall centre backs attacking crosses and heading them well clear or keepers commanding the six yard box and coming to collect or punch the ball. Today’s keeper is more likely to be good with his feet and able to play like a centre back than be physically dominant in a crowded box. Added to which it seems that blocking the keeper and wrestling with opponents is acceptable nowadays and rarely penalised. There are maybe a couple of players in the attacking team whose job is to attack the ball while the rest block their counterparts by whatever means possible.
Centre backs seem to have lost the skill of heading clear and I wonder if it’s now because it’s considered inappropriate to practice heading during training. Gordon McQueen was one who developed dementia attributed to heading the ball. It was said heading during the game was minimal compared with the hours of practice during training, the ball being much heavier then too.
On the subject of the ball, they keep changing the technology and perhaps the new Premier League ball is also a factor with its increased movement in the air causing problems especially if delivered fast and relatively low by a skilled corner taker.
Whatever the factors, the rise of the set pieces coach is likely to continue perhaps with greater emphasis on how best to counter what has become the most effective weapon for attacking teams.

Interesting point about potential changes in training.

I think law changes and VAR are reasons. Defenders cannot get touch tight without risking giving away a penalty. Added to which, defenders now are coached to get their arms close to their bodies for fear of giving away handballs and I think this leaves them off balance for second/third balls.

 

[mtp1958]

Interesting point about potential changes in training.

I think law changes and VAR are reasons. Defenders cannot get touch tight without risking giving away a penalty. Added to which, defenders now are coached to get their arms close to their bodies for fear of giving away handballs and I think this leaves them off balance for second/third balls.

that hits the nail on the head , those in charge are Haughty pointy, stick it up your tighty high and mighty. Tight nose, toffee ass, sun dried tomato eating. LA di da di LA di da cant touch me I have my dolls to play with mind the legs im wearing stockings later high neck jumper with smokers jacket ive never done physical sports before other than rowing on dry land , hope thats cleared it up

 

[MrRobbo]

Its hard to put a finger on whats happening.

And why, for example, the long throw, so effective under Pulis, disappeared for a decade and has now come back.

I do think there is something about rules changing, VAR heading practice.

But I do also think that the Pep pass to death style was heralded as the North Star. Its what owners and coaches wanted. So it wasn't that the long game because less effective, it was a case that it was just unfashionable.

(Not necessarily set pieces, but Leicester torn up the play book in their title winning season. Hitting the ball into space as many times as possible and getting defenders to have to turn and chase)

Maybe now, because teams are really disciplined at playing a tight low block the focus is back on efficiency. Get the ball up as quick as possible, and sling balls into the box.

 

[Lanzo-Ad]

We dont have a specified set piece coach, we did last season, last season it was Michael Angerschmid and Ronald Brunmayr, but they now are part of the 6 assistants.

Not officially hired a dedicated set-piece coach
Crystal Palace has not officially hired a dedicated set-piece coach, despite their impressive performance in creating goals from set-pieces this season. They have been noted for their ability to score from corners, with a total of 15 set-piece goals this season, making them one of the top teams in the league in this area. The club's success in set-pieces is attributed to their players' positioning and teamwork, rather than the presence of a specific coach.

🤣 🤣 🤣

 

[Teddy Eagle]

We saw again yesterday how corners and throw ins created chaos in both boxes. It’s been the big feature this season with Arsenal’s group run at corners and every team utilising a long throw specialist. It’s got me wondering what’s changed. Could be a number of factors.
Defensively you used to see tall centre backs attacking crosses and heading them well clear or keepers commanding the six yard box and coming to collect or punch the ball. Today’s keeper is more likely to be good with his feet and able to play like a centre back than be physically dominant in a crowded box. Added to which it seems that blocking the keeper and wrestling with opponents is acceptable nowadays and rarely penalised. There are maybe a couple of players in the attacking team whose job is to attack the ball while the rest block their counterparts by whatever means possible.
Centre backs seem to have lost the skill of heading clear and I wonder if it’s now because it’s considered inappropriate to practice heading during training. Gordon McQueen was one who developed dementia attributed to heading the ball. It was said heading during the game was minimal compared with the hours of practice during training, the ball being much heavier then too.
On the subject of the ball, they keep changing the technology and perhaps the new Premier League ball is also a factor with its increased movement in the air causing problems especially if delivered fast and relatively low by a skilled corner taker.
Whatever the factors, the rise of the set pieces coach is likely to continue perhaps with greater emphasis on how best to counter what has become the most effective weapon for attacking teams.

All good points.
On goalkeepers one was described a couple of years ago as being excellent and whose only flaw was in his shot stopping.

 

[JHB]

I think it’s a combination of things. As somebody has said defenders can’t be as physical anymore without running the risk of giving away a penalty. Defenders are also more complete footballers these days. They have to be quicker and better on the ball than in years past. But that also means there are less big, tall super aggressive centre half’s who are powerful in the air. Attacking play has also changed. Almost nobody plays with wingers, gets crosses in and scores from open play headers. Defences adapted to that and now attacks are in turn adapting to the fact defences are better at stopping quick to the feet passing but correspondingly weaker at dealing with balls in the air

 

[Canterbury Palace]

We are awful at defending set pieces, joint third most goals conceded in the league according to WhoScored, and the only team to have conceded more than from open play. In fact, in terms of open-play goals conceded, we have the joint-best record alongside Arsenal.

No idea why, but my suspicion is that the amount of midweek games just hasn't allowed us enough time to practise it. It's definitely cost us a lot of points.

 

[BuzzBeats]

Does anyone else think we should scrap the long throw….. or at least vary things up a bit? I can’t think of it really working very often and we seem to use it at every throw in.

I suppose it does slow the game up and help time pass which is useful for a team like us who seem unable to actually keep possession unless the centre backs are practising their tiki taka.

 

[chris123]

Michel Olise left foot