Set Piece Solutions
CREATED BY Tony Kinnear
Corners as a Competitive Advantage
In football, there are few areas of the game that offer such a clear return on investment as set-pieces. Cheap to practice, easy to structure, and, when executed well, often the difference between a draw and a win.
Yet, for years, there was an under-current of tactical snobbery at the top end of the game in relation to them, some looking down on those who utilised them to best effect, as if it were not the purist’s way. Some did not care, teams like the Wimbledon 1988 side and many others over the years have used them to great effect to gain a tactical edge, but it was only in recent years that widespread acceptance grew to the benefits they bring, resulting in a plethora of dedicated set-piece coaches popping up at a host of clubs big and small over the last few seasons.
In the lower reaches of the English game, however, set-pieces, and specifically, corners have long been a celebrated weapon for generations, historically, the physical nature of non-league football lending itself to teams looking to exploit these moments, knowing just how decisive they can be.
But even now, with these situations ever more high-profile at the top end of the game, not all teams are able to squeeze real value from attacking dead ball situations. For some, is it down to club culture, do some clubs just do not see themselves as being they type to exploit these situations, even while others thrive in loading the opposition penalty area and delivering deadly dead balls in?
Are some coaches still reluctant to work on these situations thinking they somehow come at the expense of their methodology to coach their team in beautiful well-worked goals? Surely, these days, any snobbery to securing goal return via the set-piece has well and truly gone?
Case Study: Lessons from the 2024–25 National League
The National League Premier, along with its North and South divisions, provides a rich dataset for understanding how set-pieces, and specifically, corners can be leveraged for competitive advantage at non-league level. In leagues where resources can be tight and margins are thin, set-pieces such as corners are not just tactical options, they are strategic necessities.
I took a look at these dead-ball situations for last season, and specifically at corner kicks, and these are the highlights of what I found:
Conversion Rates and Club Performance
Across the three divisions in 2024-25, the average corner conversion rate hovered around 3.5%, roughly one goal every 28–30 deliveries. But the variance is striking:
Chorley (5th, NL North) led the pack with a near 10% conversion rate, with almost a quarter of their 76 goals coming from corners
Brackley Town (1st, NL North) and Boreham Wood (5th, NL South) also leaned heavily on set-pieces, each scoring over 20% of their goals from corners.
York City (2nd, NL) posted a strong 6% conversion rate, contributing to their 95-goal tally and play-off semi-final berth.
By contrast:
Altrincham (9th, NL) delivered over 220 corners but scored just once, a conversion rate of 0.4%
Gateshead (8th, NL) and Braintree Town (17th, NL) also generated high volumes with minimal return.
• Even Truro City (1st, NL South), despite their title-winning campaign, showed inefficiencies in corner execution.
So, What Do High Performers Do Differently?
In terms of corner kick conversion, some teams are successful, while some struggle. But why? I looked at a host of goals scored by the successful clubs and concluded on three core and consistently applied principles for those that convert the best:
Delivery Quality & Consistency
Accurate service into key zones – front post, six-yard box, penalty spot – is foundational. Success stems from precision, hitting the runner into space, or isolating 1v1 for advantage.
2. Routine Variety
Short corners, subtle blockers, and decoy runs prevent predictability. Successful sides mix it up, keeping defenders unsettled.
3. Role Clarity
Effective teams assign specific roles: aerial target, screen, flick-on specialist, and second-ball chasers. This structure turns chaos into opportunity.
Where Others Fall Short
Both the data and video suggest issues in delivery, organisation, or personnel for those who struggle to convert from corners. When delivery is predictable or poorly executed, it becomes a wasted opportunities rather than a scoring chances.
Strategic Takeaways for Coaches and Analysts
Whether in the National League or the top echelons of the game, the principles remain the same. Corners (like all set-piece situations) are controllable, coachable, and impactful. Three key actions can elevate performance:
Audit Deliver
Track how many corners land in genuine target zones. A 60%+ success rate should be the baseline.
Design Repeatable Routines
Build two or three core plays and rehearse relentlessly – delivery timing and direction, blocking, and second-ball recovery are crucial – pivot from these core repeatable plays to variations of the same theme.
Assign Ownership
Create a “set-piece unit” with defined roles and leaders. Accountability drives execution under pressure.
Final Thought
Set-pieces are no longer the domain of certain physical sides, using brute force to score where technical ability is lacking. They are, as they should always have been, strategic levers. The National League offers proof: corners, for example, can account for up to a quarter of a team’s goals. For clubs across the pyramid, the message is clear, treat the dead ball (in all its forms) but particularly at the ball-position repeatable corners, not as an incidental moment, but as real structured opportunity. Fix the delivery, the movement, and the roles, and the goals will follow.
About the Article Author
Tony Kinnear is a freelance scout / analyst and player recruitment expert, owner and founder of Pivot Six (www.pivotsix.co.uk). He has worked at Premier League level in both England and Scotland. Pivot Six looks to help clubs unlock performance gains through bespoke player recruitment support, smarter set piece strategies, opposition analysis, data-driven insight, scouting expertise, and, team and individual playing performance assessment reviews. Whether you're refining your corner routines or rethinking your squad requirements, Pivot Six offers tailored support that bridges the gap between theory and execution with an approach grounded in clarity, collaboration, and measurable impact. Ready to turn dead-ball situations into game-changing opportunities? Tony is offering one month of free tactical support to the first two non-league clubs (Steps 1 to 4) who get in touch, focused specifically on enhancing their set-piece strategy and execution. Message Tony at tony@pivotsix.co.uk to learn more and start a conversation.