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 THE CORNER KICK DELIVERED TO AND BEYOND THE FAR POST

No defence can ever be totally sure what the attacking side has in mind when they win a corner kick, and so they have to line up preparing for any eventuality.

The near post has to be covered, as in diagram (i) by (D2), (D4) and (D5).

They must be ready to check a ball played back to an attacking defender a long the touchline (A2) - Hence the position of (D10).

While (D9) has to be ready should (A1) direct the corner to the edge of the penalty area and or (A9).
So with (D3) committed to guarding the goal line on the far post eight players already have set tasks.

So what about the corner kick played long towards the far point of the 6 yard area with attackers (A6) and (A8) coming in hoping to get a header or goal?

CLEARLY THEY MUST BE MARKED - GOAL SIDE BY (D6) AND (D7).

1. These two defenders must be strong in the air ready to challenge in any aerial duel.

2. Both must man for man mark their attacker i.e. (D6) with (A6), (D7) with (A8) until the ball is cleared.

3. (D8) must mark (A3) (on the edge of the 6 yard area) should there be any knock down into the danger area.

4. (D3) and (D2) should stay on the line either side of the goalkeeper (G) to protect the goal, acting as a last line of defence should (A6) or (A8) get in a header.

5. Similarly (D5) stays with (A5), and (D4) with (A4) - until the threat is cleared.

POINTS TO NOTE

1. Once again all defenders must keep their discipline and be ready to attack should the angle of attack change, i.e. once the ball has passed over them (D4), (D5) and (D8) should all be ready to readjust to more central positions - keeping goal side of the attacker they are marking.

2. (D6) and (D7) are key players they must be strong, forceful and good in the air totally committed to winning any aerial battle. - TRYING IF POSSIBLE (Should they win the heading duel) NOT TO HEAD THE BALL TOWARDS THE CENTRAL SECTION OF THE PENALTY AREA.

3. Once the danger is cleared (G) should encourage all defenders especially (D3) and (D2) to clear the area quickly.