How to set up an attacking corner

Watching France score the only goal in the semi final against Belgium in the World Cup shows how well set up teams can cause problems at corners for the defending team. This set up ensures your team will have a great chance of scoring a goal.

Why use it

Well set up teams know what they are doing at corners

Set up

You need balls, bibs, cones and goals. Use half your normal pitch. We used our full squad in the session

How to do it

Take a good look at your players and decide who can deliver the right ball. Decide what type of delivery you want, i.e. inswinger, outswinger or just chipped to the near post, and choose who can deliver the ball.

Technique

Concentrate on good delivery, well-timed runs, being first to the ball and hitting the target

The positioning of your players to some extent will be decided by which type of delivery you want and the ability of the players.

If you have a very tall player who is good in the air, you may want him to stand on the near post to flick the ball on for others to head for goal. You may want to deliver a faster, deeper ball for him to attack directly, the choice is yours.

1. In the diagram the corner taker 7 will deliver a longer ball to the far post with his right foot.

2. We have four players looking to attack the ball directly, Nos 4, 5, 6 and 8. They will split their runs attacking different areas, with No 6 spinning away from the ball, arriving late on the back post.

3. No 10 will try to distract the goalkeeper with his presence, trying not to allow him a free run for the ball.

4. No 9 stands on the near post for any ball driven lower than its intended target or as an alternative for the corner taker 7. The use of hand signals by No 7 can alert his team-mates of his intent.

5. No 11 waits on the edge of the box for any balls headed or cleared out while Nos 2 and 3 stay back as markers.