Set pieces and heading

1Why this matters

A set piece is a restart from a dead ball (a free kick, corner, throw-in or penalty) that a team has practised in advance. Because the ball is still and the players can take up planned positions, set pieces produce a large share of goals, especially in tight matches. Many of them end with a header.

2Free kicks

• A direct free kick can be scored straight into the opponents' goal. It is given for the more serious offences: fouls such as kicking, tripping, pushing or holding an opponent, a careless, reckless or excessive tackle, and handball.
• An indirect free kick must touch another player before a goal can count. It is given for less serious offences, such as dangerous play without contact. The referee signals it by raising one arm straight up (think "I" for indirect) until the ball has touched another player.
• If a direct free kick offence happens in the offender's own penalty area, a penalty kick is given instead, taken from the penalty mark 11 m from the goal line.
• Opponents must be at least 9.15 m (10 yards) from the ball until it is in play. When the defenders form a wall of three or more players, attackers must stay at least 1 m from the wall.

Tactics: the wall usually covers the near-post side of the goal while the goalkeeper covers the far post. The kicker may shoot hard, curl the ball round or over the wall, or play a short, rehearsed pass to a teammate.

3Corner kicks

A goal can be scored directly from a corner. Attacking teams practise runs: one player attacks the near post, one the far post, and one arrives late at the penalty spot. An inswinging corner curls towards the goal; an outswinging corner curls away from it, towards the runners. Defending teams either mark players (man-to-man) or guard areas (zonal marking).

4The throw-in

The throw-in is taken where the ball crossed the touchline, by the team that did not touch it last. Opponents must stand at least 2 m away. The thrower must:

• face the field of play;
• have part of each foot on the touchline or on the ground outside it;
• use both hands, delivering the ball from behind and over the head.

Breaking any of these rules is a foul throw, and the throw goes to the other team. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in, and a player cannot be offside when receiving the ball directly from one.

5Heading: technique and safety

1. Keep your eyes open and your mouth closed, and watch the ball all the way.
2. Strike with your forehead, the flat, hard part just below the hairline, never the top or the side of your head.
3. Keep your neck firm and move your trunk and head through the ball. Attack it; do not let it hit you.
4. Use your arms for balance, not to push opponents.
5. Direction: an attacking header from a cross aims down towards the goal line; a defensive clearance aims high and wide.

Safety. Heading carries a risk to the brain, from a single hard impact (concussion) and from many small ones repeated over years. Football associations now limit heading for young players. For example, guidance in England advises no heading practice for children aged 11 and under and only light heading practice for under-12 to under-16 teams. For your age, that means:

• Only a few headers in any practice session.
• Use a lighter or slightly softer ball when practising.
• Strengthen your neck muscles and learn correct technique.
• Anyone who feels dizzy, confused or sick, or has a headache after a knock to the head, stops playing at once and does not return that day.

Worked example: which restart?

Practice

Solution. A foul throw. The throw-in is given to the other team.

Solution. No. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in, so the restart is a goal kick to the defending team.

Solution. It is an indirect free kick, so the ball must touch another player before a goal can count.

Solution. He must stop playing at once, not return that day, and be checked by an adult. These are possible signs of concussion.