Defending corners

Why it works

Pure man-marking leaves the key spaces empty when attackers move. Pure zones leave free runners. A mix covers both, and is easy to explain.

What players do

• One player at the near post, on the edge of the six-yard box, to stop low balls.
• Two or three in zones across the six-yard box. They attack the ball.
• The rest mark one attacker each, goal side.
• One player waits near halfway, ready for the counter.
• After it is cleared, everyone steps out together.

Common mistakes

• Ball-watching and losing your runner.
• Standing on the goal line, which leaves no room for the keeper.
• Staying in the box after the clearance, so the other team keeps the ball in your area.

With young players

For younger teams without heading, the near-post player and a player at the edge of the box (for cut-backs) matter most.

Drawn on a 105 × 68 m pitch, showing the part where it happens. Orange attacks left to right and the other team is in blue; numbers are the usual shirt numbers for each position.

Put it into your own team's plan in the team builder, and see what it asks of each player.

Next: Make three at the back