Why the use of set-plays are key to Sheffield United’s bid to return to the Premier League – set-piece analysis

Sheffield United currently sit in second place in the Championship, 10 points clear of third-placed Middlesbrough in their bid to achieve automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

So far this season, the Blades have scored 51 goals, with 16 of those coming from either corners, free kicks or throw-ins. Without these crucial goals, Sheffield United would be 14 points worse off, and just outside of the playoff spots below Watford. The importance of these set-pieces cannot be underestimated, and Paul Heckingbottom has showcased his ability to be flexible with his team, by making the most of set-pieces with a team filled with physical qualities and aerial prowess. The sheer height and heading ability in this squad make it a no-brainer to attempt to use set plays, but the tactics behind the set plays have made the job much more simple for every player.

In this tactical analysis, we will delve into the tactics used by Sheffield United during attacking set plays with an analysis of how they have created many different high-quality chances from set plays. This set-piece analysis will look at the different methods theyve used when attacking corners and free kicks and why these set plays will be key to their potential promotion this season. We will delve into their different perspective on the use of screens and how they use unselfish off-the-ball runs to create space where space seems impossible to find.

Variations of screens

Sheffield Uniteds most dangerous corner routines have arrived from the right-hand side, where their players could frequently attack out-swinging corners. Out-swinging corners are statistically easier to make the first contact with, due to the fact it becomes harder for goalkeepers to intercept crosses, and the ball curls away from opposition defences.

Screens can be set up in any way to create space in specific zones of the box depending on where zonal defenders arent present and have to be delivered into areas that the corner taker can consistently find. The first way in which Sheffield have utilised screens is by creating space as close as possible to the goal from central areas when facing zonal defences.

In the example below, Burnley are well set up inside their own six-yard box, but Sheffield United have a 4v3 overload around the penalty spot. Burnleys defenders are all tasked with picking up the nearest attacker to the goal, meaning that there will be one Sheffield player unmarked who can attack the ball. Sheffield Uniteds job then becomes about getting the spare player as close to the goal as possible.

In order to allow the spare man to get as close as possible to the goal, the other three players sprint as close to the goal as possible to create space behind them. Once the three Sheffield players create the space, they each form a screen, combining to make a wall to prevent any defender from stepping up to the ball. From the image below, we can see that once the plan comes into effect, the free player has the opportunity to attack the ball with no interruption from between the six-yard box and the penalty spot.

When up against teams who