Attacking Set Play — Short Corner Combination
Zone defending at corners — where defenders hold their area rather than mark players — becomes common at U14.
◆Why this drill works
Zone defending at corners — where defenders hold their area rather than mark players — becomes common at U14. A long-ball corner straight into the zone plays into the defenders' hands. The short corner combination bypasses the zone by pulling one defender out of position (the player who chases the short ball), creating a numerical advantage in the box. When executed correctly, the cross comes from a moving delivery point rather than a stationary one, making the delivery angle unpredictable. This drill teaches the three-player short corner combination as a rehearsed unit, not an improvised option.
▦The drill in three phases
▶How to run it
- CT stands over the corner. R1 positions near the corner arc (3-4 yards from CT). R2 positions at the edge of the box.
- CT plays short to R1. D1 (assigned to the corner area) must decide: press R1 or hold position.
- R1 plays back to CT who has moved up the line. CT now has the ball in a wide position with room to cross.
- As the short pass exchanges happen, R2 makes a timed run to the back post, arriving as the cross is delivered.
- CT crosses to R2's run. R2 finishes.
- Rotate: CT becomes R1, R1 becomes R2, R2 becomes CT. New defenders for each rep.
✓Equipment checklist
✦Coaching points
Praise when you see
- Quality of delivery into a dangerous area
- Timed movement to attack the ball, not standing still
- Quick execution before the defence organises
Correct when you see
- Poor delivery wasting the chance
- Static players — set pieces need timed, deliberate movement
★Kit for this drill — top picks compared
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| Upgrade | Pop-Up Goals (pair) | Target practice. | Check price → |
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