The goal kick has remained in a constant flux of evolution since the rule change introduced in 2019 that mandated the ball no longer having to leave the penalty box before being touched by another player.
Many teams insist on playing out even under intense pressure from the opposition, and their set-ups and patterns are ever-changing with the introduction of new pressing strategies.
Whether teams play long from goal kicks or short to draw teams high before exploiting the space behind them, the goal kick is now thought of as an opportunity to create goalscoring opportunities.
This tactical theory analyses how one team, Tottenham Hotspur, under Ange Postecoglou tactics, have been a goalscoring threat from their goal kicks.
Using tactical analysis, we analyse the Premier League sides patterns of play from goal kicks and provide an analysis of the tactics opposition teams have tried to counteract them.
Goalkeeper Receiving
The image above is from Spurs’ recent defeat to Brighton, a game in which they were winning 2-0 thanks in part to a goal created from a goal kick.
In this match, under Ange Postecoglou coaching style, Spurs employed the increasingly common tactic of having a centre-back take the goal kick and pass to the goalkeeper.
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