Defending corners: zonal and man-marking
Teams practise a corner set-up: a few players defend zones (near post, six-yard box) while others mark attackers. Clear roles stop goals from set pieces.
Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.
Set-up
- Defending team set up with zonal players and markers.
- Attacking team with a corner taker and runners.
Equipment: Goal, cones, bibs, balls
How it works
- Corner is taken; attackers try to score.
- Zonal players attack the ball in their zone; markers stay with their runner.
- Clear and push out quickly; rotate roles.
Coaching points
- Zonal players: attack the ball, don't wait.
- Markers: goal-side and touch-tight.
- After clearing, step out together.
Add this drill to a session plan โ
Make it easier
- Attackers jog their runs
Make it harder
- Short corner options
AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ Passโ Runใฐโ Dribble
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See the drill โ