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Attacking corner routines

Two simple corner routines with clear jobs, a near-post flick-on and a short corner, practised live against defenders.

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Start / 5
Time
15 min
Players
11–16
Age
U13+
Area
Penalty area
Equipment
1 goal12 balls8 bibs

Setup

  1. One goal with a keeper. Work from one corner, then the other.
  2. Six attackers with set jobs: taker, near post, middle, far post, one on the keeper, one on the edge.
  3. Four defenders and the keeper to start. Add more as the routines get sharp.

How it runs

  1. Routine 1, Near: the taker raises one arm. Inswinger to the near post, flicked on for the far-post runner.
  2. Routine 2, Short: both arms up. A second player comes short for a 2v1, then crosses from the corner of the box.
  3. A goal straight from the routine is 2 points, from the second ball 1 point.
  4. Five corners from each side, then rotate the jobs.

Coaching points

  • Start together, then split on the signal. Late, fast runs beat markers.
  • Near-post runner, get in front of your defender and get any touch on it.
  • Taker, hit the space, not a player. Near post, head height, with pace.
  • Edge player, stay out for the clearance and stop the counter.

Common mistakes

  • Runners stand still and wait for the ball to arrive.
  • Everyone attacks the same spot.
  • The delivery doesn't beat the first defender.

Say it: “Start together, split on the signal, attack the ball.”

Make it harder

  • Add two more defenders so every runner is marked.
  • Defenders who clear it can counter to halfway.

Make it easier

  • Defenders are passive for the first three corners.
  • The taker throws it in by hand until the runs are right.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.