Attacking corners: a simple near-post routine

Step by step

1. Everyone starts away from where they want to end up. Runners wait on the edge of the box.
2. As the ball comes in: near post, middle, far post. One waits on the edge; two stay back.
3. Near-post flick across goal, or a clearance to the edge: either way we're ready.

When to use it

Every corner. Keep two or three routines simple enough to call with one word or a hand signal.

Coaching points

• Start runs from deep and arrive late, at full speed, as the ball comes in.
• Near post, middle and far post: three different spaces, three different players.
• One player waits on the edge of the box for the cleared ball.
• Two players stay back. Conceding on the counter after your own corner hurts.

With younger players

At 5v5 and 7v7, a short corner (pass to a team-mate nearby) often works better than a long kick that young players can't reach. Practise both.