CONTROL
SHOOTING
PASSING
DRIBBLING
TURNING
HEADING
CREATE SPACE
INDIVIDUAL DEFENDING
SUPPORT PLAY
GOALKEEPING
CROSSING
TACKLING
THE THROW IN
ATTACKING SET PLAYS
DEFENDING SET PLAYS
THE FREE KICK
DEFENDING SET PLAYS
Please select a subsection from the topics below :
 A basic introduction   Corners Closing down space
Forcing the play The corner kick
Corners to the edge of the penalty area
Corners to and beyond the far post Switching play in defence

DEFENDING AT A CORNER KICK PLAYED TO THE EDGE OF THE PENALTY AREA

Practise 1

This is a corner kick used by good technical teams, who possess the quality of player to deliver accurate passes, e.g. Manchester United's use of David Beckham as (A1) and Teddy Sherringham as (A2).

The ploy is for (A1) to deliver the corner towards (A2) who moves forward of his starting position and then either volleys it first time into the danger zone as shown in the diagram OR sends in a glancing header direct from the corner towards the direction of the six yard area.

This changing the angle of attack will force defenders to alter their positions, in relation to the attackers and it can be successful as the volley (in particular) from (A2) will be difficult to defend and with (A5) in the vicinity for a possible deflection on the ball, and (A6) and (A7) running this there is a real threat to the goal.

So all defenders have to be alert so soon as they realise the ball is being played wide to the edge of the penalty area.

Each defender has responsibilities: -

(D9) tries to get to (A2) as soon as possible to try and block any corner kick towards the danger area.

(D6) and (D7) should stay close to (A6) and (A7) until the danger is cleared.

(D3) and (D2) should stay in their positions on the goal line, until the danger goes. They should not worry about playing attackers on side, their aim is to block the goal area, moving out quickly once the initial threat goes.

(D5) and (D4) stay with (A5) and (A4) - all the time and whenever they move in the area - always, too, whenever possible on the goal side of the attackers.

(D8) - his first role to 'double' mark at the unswinging corner disappears when the corner is played towards (A2). So he should move more central towards the edge of the six-yard area to try and block any ball delivered by (A2).

Points to Note

If (A2) makes a good contact on the ball with either volley or header all defenders must be alert to the change of angle of the attack - and must keep their discipline.

Defenders must mark all the other attackers (goal side) until the ball is cleared.

The goalkeeper, who should have the best view, will instruct (by shouting) to all defenders to get out of the area as soon as the danger goes.

(D3) and (D2) act as good minders until the ball is cleared - staying on the line should they be needed.

ONCE AGAIN DEFENDERS MUST BE READY TO RE-ADJUST THEIR ROLES AT THE ANGLE OF ATTACK CHANGES.