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Set Plays Crossing Part 2

by Taylor Tollison

In part one we talked about central defenders and full backs.  In this article we talk about wide midfielders, central midfielders and develop an actino plan.

Wide Midfielders – Wide midfielders are often the designated corner taker, due to the fact that they have the responsibility to put crossed balls into the area during open play. If you have a player of a different position who is gifted at set piece delivery, then you should use them and reshuffle responsibilities. You should bear in mind that if a central defender takes your corner kicks, they will not be physically able to recover should the opposition counter, and you must have a contingency plan. If a corner is taken from the left, then the right midfield player should be the back post runner and not allow an over hit corner to go out of play. Instead, a corner that clears all attacking players should provide them with a goal scoring opportunity..

• Central Midfielders – One central midfielder should join the attack, and the other should hang on the 18 yard line as a second wave runner. The reason is that if a corner is hit behind the attacking runners, the opposition can be presented with an easy counter. If you have a midfielder on the 18, they can put the ball back into the area or have a shooting opportunity for themselves. It is also typical that a defensive header will land 18 to 20 yards out, and this is also a scoring opportunity for a midfielder holding on the 18.

DELIVERY

There is no better way to find your best corner taker than to practice. Have each player you think could be capable take 20 corners, 10 from each side. Ways to practice include having 5 to 10 yard circles to land the ball in, or live runners to simulate attackers. Note your three best corner takers in rank order and use them throughout your season.

Note the best corner taker from the left and right side separately, teams can often have a different player take corners from the left and right sides.

ACTION PLAN

Practice corners first against only a goalkeeper to give success, and then practice matched up against man to man defense. Runs you should work on during practice are;

  • Near post – in front of keeper to head on goal or flick over keeper to back post.
  • Ball runner – Runners designated strictly to react and attack to the ball. It is advised to have no more than two of these runners to avoid collisions with your own teammates.
  • Back post – designed to attack back post and react to a longer delivery or near post flick.
  • Far side – opposite midfielder avoiding over hit deliveries going out of play, and crossing them back in or shooting.
  • Second wave – recycling a delivery behind runners with a shot or putting the ball back into danger area. Also there to win possession form clearances and shoot or recycle possession.