Defending Corners: Man Marking

Description

Defenders are each assigned a specific attacker to track during corner kicks, learning to maintain physical contact, track runs, and win aerial duels in a man-marking system. This drill develops individual defensive responsibility and the physicality needed to compete at set pieces. Players practice staying tight to their opponent, reading the flight of the ball, and clearing danger effectively.

Setup

Half pitch with full-size goal and GK. Pair up defenders with attackers inside the penalty area. Each pair wears matching colored bibs for easy identification. Corner taker delivers from alternating sides.

Coaching Points

• +Maintain physical contact with your assigned attacker — feel where they are at all times
• +Position yourself goal-side and ball-side of your marker before the delivery
• +When the ball is delivered, attack it first — do not let the attacker get a free run
• +Communicate your marker to teammates to avoid confusion and double-marking

Progressions

1. 1.Allow attackers to make dummy runs and switches to test defenders' concentration
2. 2.Add a short corner option to test whether defenders hold position or break early
3. 3.Play the corner live — if cleared, attackers can recycle and cross again from open play

Equipment

Skills