Defending corner kicks well can make all the difference. In this blog, we will explore the three main types of corner kick defending: zonal defending, man-to-man defending, and mixed defending. We will analyse what each one consists of, their advantages, disadvantages, and when it is most advisable to use them. At MBP Coaches’ School, we classify corner kick defending into three different types. 

1. Zonal Defending:

Players do not have a specific attacker to mark, but rather are responsible for defending a specific area. Teams that defend corner kicks in a zone usually prioritise occupying the area near the goal.

Most try to create a high density of players with seven or eight players between the penalty spot and the goal line. It is important for the team to have players with size (height, build and strength) in order to win aerial battles. At the same time, these players must attack the ball and, finally, the first line in the zone must prevent attackers from entering the area near the goal at speed.  

Advantages:   

Greater security in actions between the goal and the six-yard box due to the high density of defenders.  

– Greater protection of areas prioritised by the defence (usually those closest to the goal), greater ease in executing optimal clearances in areas not threatened by attackers. 

– Favours winning and clearing balls and second actions within the area. 

– Difficulty in getting power on shots due to the free areas being far from the goal. 

Disadvantages:

One of the problems with zonal defences is when the front line fails to prevent attackers from running in. 

• – It is easier for the attackers to drag apart the zonal defenders, which can change the positions of some players. 

• – Zonal defending protects certain spaces, but leaves others open to attack. 

• – Short passes by attackers can cause disorganisation in the zone, especially after a backwards pass. 

• – If we accumulate too many defenders near the goal, we will make a possible counterattack more difficult.  

Image 1. Description of Zonal Defending. Source: Set Pieces course at MBP School. 

2. Man-to-man defending:

The team does not defend the space. Players pair up with each of the attackers ready to finish, and that is their primary responsibility. Man-marking has a clear objective, which is to prevent players from finishing. In other words, it focuses more on preventing shots than on protecting a specific space. We consider a defence to be man-marking when more than 70% of the team’s players are inside the area to mark. In these situations, we will not count players who are in attacking balance or outside the area, only those who are inside the box.

The individual responsibility of each player is fundamental. In addition, we will be able to balance the pairings of our players with the attackers in the best possible way. The main requirement is to know the individual characteristics of our players and the attackers very well in order to be able to counteract them (height, weight, shooting ability, etc.). 

Advantages:

If we have a strong team in close duels and with height, it will give us greater defensive security.  

• – Greater control over the most dangerous finishers to stop their actions. 

• – Makes it easier to prevent attackers from entering finishing areas at speed or with an advantage. 

• – Allows us to match our defenders with their attackers based on individual characteristics in order to neutralise them. 

• – Possibility of influencing the attacker’s trajectory of run.  

Disadvantages:

Concentration levels must remain high at all times so as not to lose track of the ball and to avoid potential blocks or dragging movements by the opponent. 

• They make it easier to block and make dragging movementsl, with the aim of freeing up the finisher. 

• They can create free spaces within the area to be attacked. Players who are marked individually may lose focus on the ball and make it difficult to clear it. 

• When faced with short passes, the defence can become disorganised and lose individual marks.  

Image 2. Description of man-marking. Source: Set Pieces course at MBP School. 

3. Mixed Defending:

This form of defending places several players in the zone and others in man-marking roles, usually on the most dangerous finishers. To identify or create a mixed defence, we must be clear about two specific characteristics. The first is that there are two main functions: zonal defending and man-marking. This means that we have several players, usually between four and five prioritising the zone and between five and six marking an opponent. The second characteristic is that we may find ourselves in situations where there are unmarked attackers.

It is very important that the players are very clear about the different situations that can occur and how the team should deal with them so as not to become disorganised within the box. In addition, it is essential to have a thorough knowledge of the opposition’s main threats in order to generate match-ups and, if necessary, leave an opponent unmarked. 

Advantages:

We have a greater number of players to defend the areas closest to the goal.  

• Greater security in inswinging crosses into the 6-yard box (in case the zone closes these spaces). 

• More difficulty for attackers to make dragging movements by having more players in various zones. 

• It allows us to match our defenders with their attackers in relation to both individual characteristics to neutralise them.  

Disadvantages:

When faced with unexpected situations such as 2 against 1, 3 against 2 or more attackers inside the area, the team must have a high capacity to reorganise itself.  

– Possibility of leaving players free inside the area. 

– Normally, teams use all their players to defend, which reduces the chances of winning 2nd balls as there are no players in depth. 

– Greater difficulty for the goalkeeper to come out if there are more players in the six-yard box. By playing short, we can create uncertainty among the defenders. 

Image 3. Description of Mixed Defending. Source: Set Pieces course at MBP School. 

Ultimately, there is no single way to defend corner kicks. The key is to identify the system that best suits your team’s characteristics and strengths. Defining clear roles and practising consistently allows you to perfect the smallest details and find the strategy that really works. Now it’s your turn: what type of defence would you choose for your team and why? 

Do you want to learn more about Set Pieces? 

‘Specialist in Set Pieces’ will allow you to dive deeper into each and every one of these actions, observing the details you need to take into account to prepare your own set pieces or to counter those of your opponents. All this information will always be accompanied by real examples used by elite coaches in high-performance teams.