Corners

[manc grecian]

Not to mention the goals we conceded against Burton. I can take conceding decent goals to decent play. But the same old mistakes again and again begins to get on my tits. No doubt they will be "working on it in training" this week we will see an improvement for two game then we will slip back the the same old shoddy defending. It needs to be worked on every week if people are so forgetful!

 

[International]

Didn't see the goals myself but playing as both a defender and keeper in recent season this is how I ask my team to look at defending corners:

I'm not much of an expert on zonal or man-man marking. I just take what I want my attacking players to do on corner and reverse the responsibilities.

For corners, I think about five areas.

a) Near post area: defenders are to prevent ball to getting to front of the goal if at all possible. If you can't get to the ball prevent the attacker from getting to it (within the scope of the rules). Prevent the shot and then prevent attempts to keep the ball in front of the goal.

b) Middle area: clear the ball high far and wide. If you can't clear it prevent the forward from getting to it (within the scope of the rules). Prevent the shot and then prevent attempts to keep the ball in front of the goal.

c) Far post area: clear the ball away from the goal. If you can't clear it prevent the forward from getting to it (within the scope of the rules). Prevent the shot and then prevent attempts to keep the ball in front of the goal.

d) Outside near edge of the box: ready to address cleared balls and prevent shots. Prevent the shot and then prevent attempts to keep the ball in front of the goal.

e) Keeper. This is a whole post in and of itself... catch or clear, communication, organization, shot stopping, ... communicate to player standing on the goal's near post and the goal's far post... when to hold and when to move out for offside trap. Read inswinger or outswinger...

There should never be more than 7 defenders back for the corner...both posts, 3 along the edge of the 6 yard box, 1 sitting around the penalty spot, and 1 further player sitting around the penalty spot or on that annoying person standing in my way.

Anymore than 7 defenders back will cause havoc in the penalty box and ultimately problems for the keeper should he want to come off his line. We should leave 1 player on the edge of the box to pick up any balls being knocked down, and then two players on the half way line. The attacking side will naturally always leave 3 players back on tha half way line to mark our two attackers, the last thing they will want is a 2 on 2 breakaway.

The keeper should hopefully have a relatively free 6 yard box allowing him to either catch or punch crosses cleanly. Either way the keeper should control the 6 yard box on corners, as he has the biggest advantages, protected more often than not by the ref, and the ability to use his hands.

It isn't rocket science

Having read through my post again...it is something most youngsters starting in the game will even understand

 

[Juggling Monkey]

Either way the keeper should control the 6 yard box on corners, as he has the biggest advantages, protected more often than not by the ref...

I wish Devon & Exeter league football was like that. I still wince when I remember the game where a striker stuck his elbow into my temple as I caught a cross. When I came round, they were running back to the half-way line celebrating the goal. :S

Anyhow, nice post.

 

[Ellisthegreek]

Agree with Int's quote re' keeper should be in control of his 6 yard box' but also, our team are'nt that tallest bunch as we only have Marriott, Edwards and Rico that are just 6ft, the others are Logan and Joneswho are both a little over 6ft - could that contribute to us conceding more from Corners?? maybe if we had someone with the height of Flacky then surely we wouldt concede as many.

 

[manc grecian]

We had four centre halfs in the back four on saturday ellis. If we cant defend corners with them there then we are in serious sh*t. Its not like you have got Beckham whipping it in. Its an organisational thing more than having tall players.

 

[Ellisthegreek]

Tottaly agree with you Manc. But surely the hight of the centre backs/team must contribute to this??
Organisation is very important, but if a 6ft defender marks a 6.2ft striker than those 2 inches makes a lot of difference..... the quality of the delivery of the corner is also a factor in this debate...

 

[International]

Its an organisational thing more than having tall players.

Spot on. The highlighted is just a luxury when defending corners!!

 

[00gill78]

Brought this back up just for Phil Sayers.