Set Plays in the World Cup Are Missing

So far I have watched almost all the matches that have been played in the 2010 World Cup soccer tournament. When I see a free kick close to the goal booted straight toward the goal sail high above it and nowhere near on target, I cringe. Not everyone can "bend it like Beckham" (referring to David Beckham's skill at scoring from free kicks by "bending" or curving the ball past a wall of defenders). In watching this happen over and over again I can't help but wonder what has happened to the set plays teams used to perform when given a free shot within range of the goal. As a player on the Florida Women's Sun Coast Soccer League and a fan of the 1970s era Tampa Bay Rowdies (1975 NASL Champions) I viewed many innovative free kicks from the Rowdies that resulted in a goal. Coached by Eddie Firmani (1975-1977, 1976 Coach of the Year), Gordon Jago (1978-1982) and John Boyle (1977) and led on the field by the clown prince of soccer Rodney Marsh (1978 first-team all star), it was fun to see what the Rowdies had in their arsenal of tricks every time they were rewarded a free kick close to the goal.

All it takes is a tiny bit of imagination to come up with new plays to execute for a free kick which could result in a goal. One play could have various options to choose from depending on the situation. Here is an example of a set play with many options available to the players.

In option one, an indirect free kick is given just outside the goalie box. The defensive wall is set up close to the goal making it nearly impossible to take a shot over the heads of the players in the wall. The ball will inevitably fly over top of the goal if this is tried. A better idea would be to try to go around the defensive wall. Six players for the offense set up on the ball: player one is behind the ball, player two is beside the ball, players three & four are off to the right on the outskirt of the defensive wall and players five & six are off to the left beyond the defensive wall. Once the whistle is blown player one runs up to the ball like he is going to take a hard shot but instead flicks the ball to the left or the right to players three or five. Player three or five stops the ball with the bottom of their foot giving player four or six a clean shot at the goal. The player stops the momentum of the ball because it gives the shooting player an easier shot on goal; it is much harder to hit a moving target than one that is standing still. It also gives the defensive wall a few seconds to open up some and provide a cleaner shot at the goal.

In option two, using the same scenario and player set up, player one runs up to the ball but this time he runs past the ball and to the right or left, away from the player who will eventually be taking the shot. Player one screams and yells for the ball to be sent to him thereby drawing attention to him and away from the ball while player two passes the ball to player three or five who set up the shot for players four or six like in option one.

Option three will also use the same scenario and player set up. This time player runs over and past the ball. When he does this player two starts yelling at him asking, "What are you doing? That is not the play the coach called for." Players one walks back toward the ball all the time arguing with player two. When he reaches the ball, player one flicks the ball to players three or five to set the ball up for the shot. For this play remember that the referee has blown the whistle to resume play but defensive players are not supposed to move until the ball is touched. If executed correctly, this set play for an indirect free kick will almost always result in a goal, but probably only once.

These are only three simple options from one set play for an indirect free kick. At the professional level of the World Cup we should be seeing better and more innovative free kicks.

Sources:

EddieFirmani
Gordon Jago
John Boyle
Tampa BayRowdies
RodneyMarsh
North American Soccer League (NASL)
Bend It Like Beckham
David Beckham
Personal experience