Likewise for defenders, there is a simple but effective rule to respect during penalty kicks. The fastest attackers should position themselves where the "D" line crosses the line of the penalty area in order to be first to the ball in case of a rebound. As soon as the ball is kicked, they should aim to follow the ball in as quickly as possible.

The tactics used for kick-offs depend on whether the game is simply starting or the opposition has just scored. At the beginning of the game, many teams play the ball backwards to get a feel of the ball and to allow different players or the goalkeeper to get rid of their nervousness through unpressured play. Passing the ball forward straightaway will probably result in possession being lost due to the opposition having a greater numerical superiority. However, by playing the ball forward and putting pressure on the opposition defence, this may show the opposition that you really want to win the match.

After conceding a goal, the kick-off is totally different. The opposition team is often still celebrating the goal and concentration maybe low. Players may not have gone back to their positions or by talking and no longer have their mind on the job. Figure 4 below shows the Auxerre team in disarray after scoring a goal against Sedan. This is the moment to carry out a counter-attacking kick-off or shoot from long-range to try to take advantage of the lapse in defending. The attacking team should try to exploit this by playing the ball quickly into the open spaces. It is important that all the attacking players want the ball and push forward quickly and in numbers. To visualise a simple counterattacking kick-off practice - click here.

Fig 7: Kick-off situation - There are at least 3 sets of Auxerre players (circled) still celebrating the goal. - The attacker takes advantage of the lack of cover and pressure on the penalty area to move forward and try a long-range shot. - The goalkeeper manages to save the shot. - Shows a good example of how to take advantage of lapses in concentration in this type of situation.

Many goal-kicks are often thought of as simply a means of restarting the game and this results in the ball being punted upfield and possession being lost. Defenders often refuse passes off the goalkeeper due to them being scared of losing the ball near to their own goal, especially as they may not have the required skill to make good use of the possession. Building up from the back has been a tactic used by many successful teams in the past. If the opposition is playing a deep defensive game near to their own goal, there is little point in playing the ball high and long, especially as the the attacking team will be outnumbered. Playing the ball out from the back can help lure opposition defenders forward before making a sudden and quick change of pace to take advantage of the space behind created them.

However, if a team has players who are capable of wining the ball in the air, then the coach may want to use the long goal-kick. Flick-ons can be useful especially if players make timed runs behind the player heading the ball. Likewise, after a corner or free-kick near to their own goal, the goalkeeper may see the opportunity to play the ball quickly forward as these situations often involve only 2 or 3 defenders versus similar numbers of attackers. This requires good passing skills from the keeper, click here to see an example of a specific coaching practice for goalkeeper distribution.

The quality of the initial pass from the goalkeeper is important. The pace and angle of the delivery may determine the outcome of the pass. For example, the goalkeeper should aim to play the ball firmly and accurately and always to the the foot of the receiving player which is furthest from the opponent allowing him to control and shield the ball better. This of course depends on the distance of the receiving player from the kick, longer passes must invite the receiver to move forward away from his marker. Wherever the pass is received, the first-touch is extremely important in not only preventing the ball being lost but in keeping possession to continue the action. The other attacking players should be moving to support the receiving player and to create space ready to attack the opposition. The following images demonstrate several possibilities of playing the ball out from the back.

	Fig 8: Goal-kick Tactic 1 - The goalkeeper plays the ball out wide to the fullback who drops back into space. - He plays it forward to the midfielder who passes inside to the central defender. - The central defender can bring the ball forward into space.
	Fig 9: Goal-kick Tactic 2 - The goalkeeper plays the ball out wide to the winger/midfielder dropping back into space. - He plays it back to the full-back in space. - The fullback can bring the ball forward into the space in front of him.
	Fig 10: Goal-kick Tactic 3 - The goalkeeper sees the opportunity to take a quick goal-kick as the opposition has not yet taken up their defensive positions. - He hits the ball hard towards the centre-forward. - The centre-forward flicks the ball into the space behind for a fellow attacker to run onto to.

When practising goal-kicks, the coach should concentrate on getting his players to spread out side-to-side on the pitch(width) and end-to-end (depth). He should also analyse the quality of the pass from the goalkeeper - pace, accuracy and angle. The coach must ensure that the supporting players provide decent attacking options by supporting the player in possession as well as creating space.

Practice goal-kicks preferably during 11 a side games. The goalkeeper should take the kicks from both sides of the goal area and player positions and roles should be clearly instructed by the coach for each particular type of kick. The team needs to gain confidence in the various methods employed.

Between 40 and 50 % of goals and many of which decide the outcome of matches are scored from set-plays such as corners, throw-ins and free-kicks. Two out of the three goals scored by France in the 1998 World Cup final came from well struck pre-rehearsed corners. This should ensure that coaches spend the necessary time practising tactics for these particular situations. The attacking team has many major advantages over the defending team and should make the most of each set-play won. The service must provide along with the arrangement of players the best possible means of scoring or creating chances. The following summarises the factors required in successful attacking set-piece play.

- All attacking players should display strong mental skills: application, discipline, concentration, communication, courage, determination, ability to seize an opportunity...
- Each player must be assigned and know their own role and tasks and apply themselves 100%.
- The coach should plan each set-play practice session with care and observe and analyse the performances of his players.
- All set-play practice sessions should be realistic and include active opposition whenever possible.
- Always make sure everyone is ready before executing a set-play in a match.
- Try to create a visual or verbal code for executing different set-plays.
- Always make the most of the situation by using both physical (e.g. height) and technical (striking a curved shot) advantages. Get players into the penalty area as often as possible.
- Shoot directly and accurately as much as possible and always look for rebounds.
- Try to disrupt the defence in different ways such as disguising your options by using two playmakers on the ball (the defence will not know who will take the kick) and blocking their vision or route to the ball (e.g. standing in front of the goalkeeper or wall).
- Encourage players to create space and play the ball forward whenever possible to test the opposition defence.
- Encourage variety in set-piece play but on an already successful theme (e.g. an in-swinging corner which repeatedly causes problems, instead of playing an outswinger which may relieve pressure, continue with the same tactic but place players in different positions and vary the pace of the ball).

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