Short corner

Description

The corner is played short. The supporting player comes towards the corner flag and receives a pass, which makes the nearest defender come out of the penalty area to apply pressure. The ball is then played back to the taker, who has meanwhile moved from the corner to around eight metres away. The angle for the cross is better from there, and the ball can be delivered low between the near post and the goalkeeper. The player running to the near post finishes one-touch, and the run to the far post starts at the same time. There are two defenders: one applies pressure to the short corner, the other defends the area. Without the defender coming out, the pattern does not show why the short corner works.

Quality Factors

Go short only when the taker is ready. Moving too early takes the defender with you before the space has time to open up. Play the short pass with the inside of the foot into the middle of the ball, with the non-kicking foot behind the ball. The weight should allow the return pass to be played one-touch. Play the ball back into the taker’s path, not to their feet. The taker must get away from the end line before the return pass, because only then does the angle for the cross improve. Deliver the cross low between the near post and the goalkeeper.

Key Questions

• When do you go short, and how do you recognise that the defender is following?
• Where do you play the ball back when the taker is already on the move?
• Why is the cross more dangerous from eight metres away from the corner than directly from the corner?
• Where must the ball arrive at the near post so that you can finish one-touch?

Training Info

• 7+ players
• Age Group: U10+