Match moments / Set pieces
Take a corner
A short corner, a late run to the edge of the box, and the defender who stayed back. Three jobs that make a corner dangerous for them, not for us.
In the match
- Decision 1Winger
- Decision 2Midfielder
- Decision 3Centre-back
You are 11, taking the corner.
Their defenders are packed in tight. How do you take it?
Play the build-up, then choose.
Best choice
Their defender has to come out to 7, and the return pass gives you a better angle to the edge of the box.
It can work
Into the crowd, where their keeper can come and claim it.
Costly
A high ball hangs for their defenders, and in matches up to under-11 nobody may head it anyway.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 8, on the edge of the box.
Their defenders are watching the ball. When do you move?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
Arrive late and you meet the ball running onto it, after the defenders have set themselves for someone else.
It can work
You are in the crowd now, and the space at the edge of the box is empty.
Costly
Standing still, you are easy to mark and slow to the ball.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 5, who stayed back.
The clearance is flying towards you and their fastest forward. What do you do?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
You are facing it and they are not. Get there first and we go again, with their team still in their box.
It can work
A bounce gives their forward time to get in front of you.
Costly
Turning your back hands them the ball and a run at you.
How you know it is happening
- A corner to us.
- Their defenders crowd the six-yard box.
- Their fastest forward stays up near halfway.
Why it works
Defenders at a corner face the ball and guard the goal. A short corner pulls one out, a late run meets the ball after they have set, and the player who stayed back wins the clearance before their counter starts.
The tactics behind it
Your job, by position
- WWinger and wide midfielder
- Take it quickly, before they are set.
- Short, then get it back for a better angle.
- CMCentral midfielder
- Wait on the edge of the box.
- Arrive late and shoot first time.
- STStriker
- Near post: run across the front of your defender.
- CBCentre-back
- Stay back and mark their fastest forward.
- Step up and win the clearance first.
- GKGoalkeeper
- Push up to the edge of your box to sweep.
How to explain it
- Practise one short corner and one low one until the players can do them without thinking.
- Always name who stays back before the corner.
- Count the clearances we won back.
On the training pitch
- With a friendFirst-time finishingThe technique underneath it, with one friend.
- The practiceLow crosses and cut-backsThe same decision, over and over, with a little pressure.
- The gameEnd-zone gameA small-sided game set up so the moment keeps happening.
Set the game up so it keeps happening
- Every ball out is a corner. Two points for a goal from a short corner.
Three things to say
- Short and back.
- Arrive late.
- Win the clearance.
On Saturday
Tick them off on the day. Nothing is saved: print the page if you want to keep it.
After the whistle
Ask yourself
- Did you arrive late or early?
What to look back on
- How many corners led to a shot? How many led to a counter against us?