Set Play Coaches vs Set Play Analysts: What’s the Difference?
- Billy Coulston
- Aug 26
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 27
In the evolving landscape of elite football, set plays – have become crucial strategic tools for gaining a competitive edge. As clubs seek to capitalise on these high-value moments, we have seen the rise of two relatively new and specialised roles within backroom staff structures: the Set Play Analyst and the Set Play Coach.
These positions, once handled by traditional match analysts or assistant coaches, are now recognised as distinct disciplines in their own right. Top clubs like Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Chelsea have introduced dedicated positions for each, reflecting the growing demand for precision, specialisation, and data-informed delivery of set plays.
A common career pathway is emerging where set play analysts transition into set play coaching roles, leveraging their analytical foundation to inform practical on-pitch implementation. Several notable professionals have made this transition, including James French, who recently joined Manchester City as a set-play coach after previously working as a set-play analyst at Liverpool alongside Pep Lijnders.
This article explores the distinct yet deeply interlinked responsibilities of the Set Play Analyst and Set Play Coach, drawing from real-world job specifications across Premier League and Championship clubs. It highlights how these roles function individually—and together—to turn marginal gains into match-winning moments.
Core Objectives
Set Play Coach
Focused on translating analysis into tactical coaching during training and matches: design and implement offensive and defensive routines, instruct players on positioning, delivery, and marking, and lead on-the-pitch adjustments during games
Works with other coaching staff to integrate set-play preparation into the weekly schedule, ensuring tactical clarity and execution
Set Play Analyst
Provides the analytical foundation for decision-making: interprets data trends, produces visual reports, and offers detailed feedback to the team, units, and individual players.
Tracks global set-play innovations and performance data over time, contributing insight into emerging trends and benchmarking.
🛠 Skills & Tools
Set Play Coach
Requires a strong coaching pedigree (typically UEFA A license), with proven experience designing and implementing set-play tactics in first-team or elite environments.
Familiarity with video and data tools to inform and deliver meetings and training sessions
Set Play Analyst
Requires analytical proficiency: statistical analysis, visualisation, and comprehensive reporting.
Effective communicator able to tailor feedback across hierarchies—from coaching staff to individual players.
Well-versed in performance analysis platforms and able to track and communicate evolving global set-piece strategies.
🔄 Integration & Collaboration
The Set Play Analyst identifies themes and patterns of set plays, typically with a focus on the opposition.
Insights are passed on to the Set Play Coach, who translates data into drills, tactics, strategies and in-game adjustments.
🎯 Match-Day Roles
Set Play Coach
Takes the lead on set plays in meetings before games and performs live tactical adjustments, communicating directly to the head coach and players in relation to set play scenarios.
Set Play Analyst
Supports decision-making of the set play coach by mainly offering some live feedback, as well as conducting deeper post match analysis, and advising on tactical considerations ahead of future fixtures.
📈 Longitudinal Projects
Set Play Coach
Keeps up with emerging set-piece tactics across top leagues and integrates fresh ideas into the coaching process.
Set Play Analyst
Leads deeper trend analysis: longitudinal research into global set-play dynamics, contributing to performance optimisation across longer timelines
Category | Set Play Coach | Set Play Analyst |
Core Objectives | - Translates analysis into on-pitch coaching.
- Integrates set plays into weekly training.
- Designs and implements offensive/defensive routines. - Makes in-game adjustments. | - Provides analytical foundation. - Interprets data, produces visual reports. - Gives feedback to team, units, individuals. - Tracks global innovations and benchmarks. |
Skills & Tools | - Strong coaching background (often UEFA A license). - Proven experience working with elite players. - Uses video and data tools for sessions. | - Proficient in statistics, analysis, and visualization. - Skilled communicator across staff and players. - Experienced using performance analysis platforms. |
Integration & Collaboration | - Uses analytical insights to create drills and tactics. - Adjusts strategies based on analysis. | - Identifies patterns and themes (often focused on the opposition). - Provides insights to coach for practical implementation. |
Match-Day Roles | - Leads pre-game set play meetings. - Communicates with head coach and players during matches. - Makes live tactical adjustments. | - Offers live feedback to coach. - Conducts in-depth post-match analysis. - Advises on future tactical planning. |
Long-Term Focus | - Monitors emerging trends. - Introduces new ideas into coaching process. | - Conducts long-term trend analysis. - Researches global set-play dynamics for optimization. |
🔍 Closing Thoughts
Both roles are highly specialised - yet profoundly interdependent. The Set Play Analyst powers strategy with deep data insights and trend tracking, providing the fuel for actionable coaching. The Set Play Coach converts this into training, delivering tactical guidance, and ensuring the performance vision is implemented at key moments. Together, they form a dynamic duo essential for gaining competitive edge in elite football to optimise set-piece performance.
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