Screens explained: The most versatile and effective tool for set plays – set-piece analysis

Screens have started to become more prevalent in football, primarily from corner kicks, taking inspiration from their common use in basketball.

A screen can be defined as when an off-the-ball offensive player plants themselves in front of a defensive player to prevent that defender from applying pressure on their teammate. Although there is no intent to go for the ball when performing a screen and could be seen as foul play, as long as the individual engages in a 50/50 tussle when shoulder to shoulder, or doesnt initiate the physical contact when the orientation is different (facing the defenders back), it is in line with rules and can be performed consistently.

There are many different variations of screens, as they can be attempted anywhere in the box and can have differing effects on the outcome. A screen can come from the goal side, far side, blind side and in front of a defender. The fact that this method can be open to interpretation due to the different ways it can be used creates an infinite number of possibilities when creating set play routines.

In this??tactical analysis, we will look into the tactics behind different uses of screens, with an in-depth analysis of how each screen has its own potential benefits and risks. This set-piece analysis will look at why the different variations can all be effective and hopefully inspire teams to develop their own corner routines incorporating screens, due to their unlimited unpredictability and high potential.

Traditional use of screens

Before diving into the different variations of screens, it has to be made clear that a screen can have different goals, depending on the coachs preferences.

A screen can be used to:

1) help a teammate lose their marker

2) to immobilise a player inside a target area

3) to prevent a defender from reaching a desired area

An example of a screen with each different outcome will be explored below.

For example, in the image below, a screen could have three different possibilities depending on how it is used. In this case, the second option is being aimed for. Inside the target area, there is a 4v4 including four Bournemouth attackers, three Arsenal man markers and one zonal defender. Anyone outside the area will not attempt to clear the ball should it be crossed in precisely, as they are responsible for different areas.

Immobilising a player simply means preventing them from moving, rendering them useless in that particular set play. This method is most common when attacking the six-yard box centrally where the space is larger than it would be at either post.

Now that the 4v4 can be clearly identified, as well as the playing area (black circle), we can focus on how the screens can change the situation.

Below, we can see three of the four attackers engaging in shoulder-to-shoulder duels with their respective players, where it seems like their target is the ball but they are in fact immobilising their markers by preventing them from being able to move inside the target area. Once all three Arsenal defenders are prevented from entering the area, it is clear to see the area remains the same in size, but there is only one attacker and one defender left.

This means that the