Zonal corner defending: posts, six-yard line and second line
Complete organisation of zonal defending at corners: two players on the posts, three headers along the six-yard line, three in a second line, one player disrupting the taker and one or two ready for the counter-attack.
Postes, línea de seis y segunda línea ocupadas; los rematadores inician sus carreras.
Objective
Give every defender a zone and a clear responsibility to win the first contact at corners, clear far and step out together to catch attackers offside or counter.
Organisation
Goal with keeper, balls at both corner flags and a mini goal in the centre circle for the counter. Defence (blue): d1 and d2 on the posts (the weakest headers), d3, d4 and d5 on the six-yard line (best header in the middle), d6, d7 and d8 in a second line between the six-yard box and the penalty spot, d9 10 m from the taker and d10 outside the box for the counter. Attack (red): taker and 5-6 attackers with free runs.
Development
- 1Set-up: every defender takes their zone before the taker touches the ball; the keeper, off the line with a clear view, calls 'zone' and decides early whether to come or stay.
- 2The three on the six-yard line take a step back and get ready to attack the ball forwards; the second line watches the runners arriving from deep without following them out of their zone.
- 3Delivery: the defender in whose zone the ball drops attacks it with a header up and out, towards the touchlines, never through the middle; the post players stay on the line until the ball is cleared.
- 4After the clearance the whole defence steps out together on the keeper's (or centre-back's) call to leave the attackers offside and win the second ball.
- 5The counter-attack player (d10) receives the second ball and attacks the mini goal in the centre circle in a 3v2 with the first two defenders stepping out.
- 6Repeat 8-10 corners per side, alternating inswingers, outswingers and short corners; on a short corner d9 steps out to press and d6 slides across to cover.
Coaching points4
- Everyone has a job: you do not chase an opponent, you attack your zone.
- The first contact is won by attacking the ball on the move, from back to front, never waiting still.
- High clearances to the flanks, out of the box, then step out together immediately.
- The keeper commands: 'zone', 'keeper' or 'away' loud and early.
Common mistakes3
- Defenders following a runner and leaving their zone, opening gaps on the six-yard line.
- Stepping out too late and leaving attackers onside for the rebound.
- Post players stepping forward and leaving the goal line uncovered.
Variations3
- Mixed system: two man-markers on the opponents' best headers and the rest zonal.
- Compulsory short corner to train d9 stepping out and d6 covering.
- Two mini goals in the centre circle for the counter.
Progressions2
- Attack with rehearsed routines (blocks, dummies, near-post flick-ons) to test the zone.
- Score it: 1 point for a clearance out of the box, 3 for a goal on the counter.
Regressions2
- Passive attack with predetermined runs to learn the zones.
- Reduce to 8 defenders for U14 by removing the outer second line.
Tips
- Assign zones by height and jumping ability: the best header in the middle of the six-yard line.
- Film the rehearsals from behind the goal to review empty zones.