Near-post flick-on corner with a block
The most widely used rehearsed corner in the modern game: driven inswinging delivery to the near post, a legal block on the zonal marker, a glancing flick-on and the far-post runners arriving to finish.
Brazo del lanzador: el 9 sprinta desde 12 m, el 10 bloquea al zonal y el 11 ataca el segundo palo.
Objective
Automate the timing between taker, blocker, near-post header and far-post runners so the corner becomes a clear chance against zonal defences.
Organisation
Goal with keeper and 5-6 balls at the corner flag. Attack: taker (7), near-post runner (9) starting 12 m out, blocker (10), far-post runner (11), second-ball player on the penalty spot (8) and edge player guarding the counter (6). Defence: keeper and 3-4 zonal defenders (one on each post and two in the six-yard box), progressing to a full defence.
Development
- 1First phase without a ball: players learn their positions and runs reacting to the taker's signal (one arm raised), not to the ball.
- 2The taker starts the run-up and all attackers move at once: the 9 sprints from 12 m towards the near corner of the six-yard box.
- 3The 10 stands in front of the near-post zonal defender and holds ground without using the arms: a legal block.
- 4The delivery is driven and inswinging, head high, onto the near corner of the six-yard box: 20-22 m in under 2 seconds.
- 5The 9 arrives as the ball arrives and glances it on towards the far post (or attacks goal directly if the delivery drops inside).
- 6The 11 attacks the far-post space with conviction and the 8 waits for the knockdown on the penalty spot; the 6 guards the counter.
- 7Repeat 8-10 times per side, first against 3-4 passive zonal defenders and then against a full active defence.
Coaching points4
- The delivery is driven: a floated ball gives the keeper and the zonal markers time.
- The near-post runner arrives as the ball arrives, never before or after, and always from depth.
- The block is legal only if the blocker plants and neither pushes nor holds.
- Far-post runners commit: they enter the space expecting the flick-on.
Common mistakes3
- Over-hitting the delivery so it flies past the near post and kills the routine.
- Runner waiting still near the six-yard box and arriving without speed.
- Blocker moving or using the hands and conceding an attacking foul.
Variations3
- Short corner first to create a 2v1, then the same near-post delivery.
- Dummy run: the 9 ducks under to let the ball reach a second runner.
- Outswinging delivery to the same area.
Progressions2
- Full defence with zonal marking and free players for the second ball.
- Link with transition: if the defence clears, a 3v2 counter to a mini goal in the centre circle.
Regressions2
- U10-U12: delivery and near-post run only, no block.
- U14: introduce the flick-on and far-post runners with a simple block.
Tips
- Rehearse the runs without a ball first so players react to positions rather than the delivery.
- Practise with both takers (left- and right-footed) to have an inswinger on both sides.