• Man-man
• Zonal Marking.
• Mixture of Zonal and man to man.

Technical Details-

Mental Qualities-

Discipline, concentration, alertness, composure, determination (bravery), read the delivery, anticipation and movement.
Build up the players as you go along and make sure each player knows his responsibility before you carry on.

This is only a guide.

1. Have the corner taker crossing into the Keeper. Look at goalkeepers starting positon and his communication.
2. Now add players 2 and 3 on the line. Player 2 on the near post should be on the line because he should not obscure the Keeper.
3. Put a defender in front of the keeper to challenge him.
4. Identify front post as weakness and then add player 4.
5. Add attacker at the front post.
6. Add your three key defenders, numbers 5,6 and 9. Player 6 should be just inside the near post because we don't want the ball dropping behind the Keeper. These three should work as a unit and be aware of not dropping into the space in front of the Keeper.
7. Add three attackers. How do they affect the Zonal marking.
8. Now add three blockers to hold off the attackers. Get the weight on the front foot for going forward. Don't line up with 6, 5 and 9 get in their gaps just inside the penalty spot.
9. Player 7 is optional
   • To prevent good delivery. If the corner is an inswinger the defender should be nearer the goal line. Outswinger just off the line.
   • If not used as a block he can be used as a man to man marker or to fill space on the near corner of the box. Can he have counter attacking responsibilities.

Many teams play inswinging corners into the near post so it might be a good idea to have your best header of the ball in this area (here player 4). He would have no marking responsibilities but would be asked to get infront of the opponents target at the near post and attack the ball. If he misses the ball then the Keeper should be the next in line to take the ball as long as he is not drawn into the near post. Player 9 marks the space behind the target and can tuck into the post if needed once the ball has gone over him and player 2 defends the near post. Player 3 must be aware of all dangers at the back post so it is vital to get his open body stance right. Players 5, 6, 8 and 10 are all man-man markers and there responsibilities are blocking (turnstyle, keeping your arms out), marking and heading. Do they watch the ball and the player or just the player you must decide. Player 11 defends the edge of the box and must be switched on for any loose balls. Player 7 defends the front edge of the area and should be aware that most clearences come back into this area (defending headers are stronger if they are headed back in the same direction they came from).

Player 7 is optional in both positions firstly to prevent good delivery and make the taker put more height on the ball giving the Keeper more time to deal with the cross. If the corner is an inswinger the defender should be further from the goal line.If it is an outswinger he should be on or just off the line. Once the ball has gone over him can he have counter attacking responsibilities, be aware that most clearences come back into this area and pressure the ball if they do a short corner. If not used as a block he can be used as a man to man marker or to fill space on the near corner of the box. Your best hearers of the ball should be placed at 4, 9, 5 and 6. Players 8, 10 and 11 lock in the area and prevent forwards making runs by blocking. Notice their position inbetween players 5, 6 and 9 for compactness.