A question about football

[jawillwill]

Why whenever we have a free kick in a good position, do we need 2, if not more players standing over the ball? I can just about understand it if we are in an obvious shooting position as it'll make the keeper think twice as to where to position himself/ which way the ball goes. But we do it from crossing positions too. For example yesterday there was at least one occasion where we had a free kick not far from the corner flag and we had 2/3 players behind the ball (i.e not really in a position to receive a short pass either). Surely the advantage of having more bodies in the box would far outweigh the surprise element of whether its be an inswinging or outswinging cross, especially when it's generally pretty predictable who takes our set pieces? And if the advantage really is that great, why not do it when taking corners too?

 

I realise all teams do this so I probably am missing something - in which case I'm blaming my stupidity on being hungover (and generally reading too much SWF).

[Lallana's Left Peg]

Why whenever we have a free kick in a good position, do we need 2, if not more players standing over the ball? I can just about understand it if we are in an obvious shooting position as it'll make the keeper think twice as to where to position himself/ which way the ball goes. But we do it from crossing positions too. For example yesterday there was at least one occasion where we had a free kick not far from the corner flag and we had 2/3 players behind the ball (i.e not really in a position to receive a short pass either). Surely the advantage of having more bodies in the box would far outweigh the surprise element of whether its be an inswinging or outswinging cross, especially when it's generally pretty predictable who takes our set pieces? And if the advantage really is that great, why not do it when taking corners too?

 

I realise all teams do this so I probably am missing something - in which case I'm blaming my stupidity on being hungover (and generally reading too much SWF).

 

Sometimes the best person to take the set piece is determined by the angle or personnel on the field (and who will be attacking the delivery) and often in this case a decision won't be made who is the best candidate to take it unless you go to where the ball will be delivered from. Also if you have two people there who will take the set piece with different feet then the defence can't settle for an inswinging or outswinging delivery.

[Smirking_Saint]

More players in the box is often restrictive IMO

[Hatch]

possibly having two men out there means the defending team have to have an extra player out there too, therefore creating more room in the box.

 

Which is all redundant when the ball just gets over hit anyway.

[hasper57saint]

Ever seen a free kick just passed a couple of feet left or right to throw the defenders off balance? It works and we've done it quite a few times.Hence two players over the ball.

On a slightly different note why don't we ever leave one of our quick forwards in the centre circle when we defend corners? Many many times the ball is cleared to an opposing player but if we had someone up there the opposition would have to commit two of their players to defend a breakaway from which we would benefit.