Defend the corner

 

What this session is about

1. Defending a corner kick. 2. Taking up good defensive positions. 3. Applying quick counter attacks.

 

What to think about

In the English Premier League, almost one in three goals comes as a result of a corner or free kick. This statistic is a great insight into the small margins between winning, drawing and losing a match. Any team can be effective and score goals from set plays, regardless of their level, compared to the opponent they face. This means set plays are a big leveller in games and a situation where anything is possible. Having a simple, set organisation that all players understand will make your team effective at defending set plays and reduce the chances of your team conceding goals.

 

Set-up

Organise your team in various defensive sets to defend corners. If the team clears the ball upfield, it must quickly react and counter attack to try and score in the opposite goal. This initial practice is unopposed. Set 1 – Zonal defending (as shown in the top picture) The team lines up with a full back on each post. One player stands in front of the near post. Four players line up across the six-yard box. Three players line up level with the penalty spot. Set 2 – Man to man The team lines up with a full back on each post. One player stands in front of the near post. Five players mark opposition players individually. One player stands on the edge of the 18-yard box and another stays upfield – ready to counter attack. Set 3 – Your choice You and your team decide on which set-up is best for particular situations. It can be a mixture of both or a new set-up of your own.

Warm up	Session	Development	Game Situation	Warm Down
10 minutes	15 minutes	15 minutes	15 minutes	5 minutes

 

What you get your players to do

Set 1 – Zonal defending (as shown in the top picture) The team lines up with a full back on each post. One player stands in front of the near post. Four players line up across the six-yard box. Three players line up level with the penalty spot.

Set 2 – Man to man The team lines up with a full back on each post. One player stands in front of the near post. Five players mark opposition players individually. One player stands on the edge of the 18-yard box and another stays upfield – ready to counter attack.

Set 3 – Your choice You and your team decide on which set-up is best for particular situations. It can be a mixture of both or a new set-up of your own.