Set-piece terms

Back post (also: far post)

The goalpost furthest from the player delivering a cross or set-piece. Also called the far post. Crosses to the far post often pick out a player making a back-post run.

Back post finish (also: far post finish)

A finish from a cross or cutback that finds the corner of the goal furthest from the player who delivered the ball. Also called a far post finish.

Block (obstructing a shot)

A defensive action in which a player puts their body in the way of a shot, deflecting it or stopping it from reaching the goal.

Block (set-piece blocking run) (also: pick, screen)

A blocking run made by an attacker in front of a defender to obstruct their marking, freeing a teammate to attack the ball. Common at corners and free kicks. Also called a pick or a screen.

Corner kick

A restart awarded to the attacking team when the ball goes out over the goal line, last touched by a player of the defending team, without a goal being scored. Taken from the corner arc nearest to where the ball left the pitch. A goal can be scored directly from a corner kick.

See also: Corner kicks

Corner routine

A pre-planned attacking move from a corner kick — for example, a short corner, a near-post flick-on, or a runner peeling off blocks at the back post.

See also: Corner routines

Decoy run

A run designed to drag defenders away from the area where the actual attack is unfolding. Can only be considered a decoy after the fact — once the ball has gone elsewhere.

Defensive header

A header by a defending player to clear the ball away from danger — usually from a cross or set-piece delivery into the penalty area.

Defensive set piece

Any set-piece situation in which the team is defending — a corner, free kick or throw-in conceded to the opposition.

Direct free kick routine

A pre-planned attacking move from a direct free kick — often a strike on goal, a clipped delivery into the box, or a worked routine to free a runner.

See also: Free kick routines

Dummy run

A run made by an attacker that deliberately stops short or peels off, designed to occupy a defender rather than to receive the ball.

Far post (also: back post)

The goalpost furthest from the player delivering a cross or set-piece. Also called the back post. Crosses to the far post often pick out a player making a back-post run.

First ball

The initial contact at a set-piece delivery — usually the first player to attack the cross. "Winning the first ball" is a defensive priority at set pieces.

Flick-on

A glancing header at the near post that redirects the ball across the goal rather than attempting a direct shot. A common near-post corner routine.

Free kick routine

A pre-planned attacking move from a free kick — runners, disguised passes, shots and deliveries.

See also: Free kick routines

Front post (also: near post)

The goalpost nearer to the player delivering the cross. Also called the near post.

Front post finish (also: near post finish)

A finish from a cross or cutback that finds the corner of the goal nearest to the player who delivered the ball. Also called a near post finish.

Indirect free kick routine

A worked move from an indirect free kick — by definition involving at least two players, since the ball must be touched by another player before a goal can be scored.

See also: Free kick routines

Inswinger (also: inswinging cross)

A cross that curves in towards the goal, taken with the natural shape of the foot from the opposite side. Hard for goalkeepers to claim and easy for attackers to head goalwards.

Long throw

A throw-in delivered with extra distance, sometimes reaching the far post or beyond. Used as an attacking weapon by teams with a specialist long thrower.

See also: Long throw routines

Marking zone

An area of the penalty box assigned to a defender at a corner or free kick in a zonal marking system, regardless of where attackers position themselves.

Near post (also: front post)

The goalpost nearer to the player delivering the cross. Also called the front post.

Near post finish (also: front post finish)

A finish from a cross or cutback that finds the corner of the goal nearest to the player who delivered the ball. Also called a front post finish.

Out-of-play restart

Any restart from a moment when the ball was out of play — throw-ins, goal kicks, corner kicks and so on.

Outswinger (also: outswinging cross)

A cross that curves away from the goal, taken with the natural shape of the foot from the same side. Often used to clear the goalkeeper's reach and pick out a back-post runner.

Panenka

A penalty taken as a gentle chipped shot down the centre of the goal, on the assumption that the goalkeeper will dive left or right. Named after Czech midfielder Antonín Panenka.

Penalty taker

The player nominated to take the team's penalties — usually one of the squad's most composed finishers.

Penalty taking

The discipline of taking penalty kicks, including technique, placement, and approach. A distinct skill, especially in shootouts.

See also: Penalty taking and shoot-outs

Pick (also: screen, block (set-piece blocking run))

A blocking run used at a set piece to obstruct an opposition defender. Also called a screen or block.

Quick free kick

A free kick taken as soon as possible after the referee awards it, allowing the attacking team to restart play before the opposition can organise defensively, provided the referee has not required the taker to wait for the whistle.

Run-up

The approach a player takes to a penalty or free kick — short, long, paused or running — all of which can influence the goalkeeper's read on the shot.

Screen (also: pick, block (set-piece blocking run))

A blocking run used to obstruct a defender at a set piece. Also called a pick or block.

Set-piece coach

A specialist coach responsible for designing and rehearsing set-piece routines. A relatively recent specialism in elite football.

Shootout (also: penalty shootout)

Short for penalty shootout — the procedure used to determine a winner when a knockout match is level after extra time. Teams alternate penalty kicks, usually best of five before sudden death.

See also: Penalty taking and shoot-outs

Short corner

A corner played short to a teammate near the corner flag rather than crossed into the box. Used to draw defenders out, create a passing angle, or set up a different delivery.

Stutter run

A penalty run-up with a deliberate change of rhythm designed to make the goalkeeper commit before the ball is struck. Feinting during the run-up is allowed, but feinting to kick after the run-up is complete is not.

Wall jumper

A player in a defensive wall who jumps as the kick is struck, trying to block a shot played over or through the wall.

Zonal corner defending

A method of defending corners in which each defender protects a fixed zone of the penalty area rather than marking a specific attacker.