Defending set pieces
Zonal
Defending corners with a zone simply means each player is responsible for a space. Within that space the player is responsible for any player that comes into the zone as well as for clearing the ball should it enter his zone. It can be seen that the zones overlap therefore communication is important if collisions with teammates is to be avoided.
As the opponent prepares to serve the ball the players should be facing the serve with their hips open. This allows for vision of the serve as well as vision of the field. Furthermore as the ball arrives the defenders are already in position to strike the ball for a clear downfield.
The danger in zonal defending lies in losing a mark as they transfer zones or the overload of a zone with more than one player. When this happens it is difficult to maintain a close proximity to each opponent making a score more likely. The benefit of a zone is in having each player completely focused on his task within his set zone. As the ball enters he will be able to win the ball while facing away from his own goal for a quality clear.
The keepers’ role is quite simple. If getting up and winning the ball is a possibility the keeper must do it. He is facing the field and will have the best ability to come out to win the ball. The keeper cannot be passive in this situation. Furthermore the keeper must know his range and if the ball exceeds his range he must not recklessly leave the goal mouth but instead track with the ball to make a save on any shot that is taken. If the keeper does come out he must communicate. Yelling “keepers!” informs his teammate he is out to win the ball and off his line. This first and foremost tells the defenders the keeper is off his line to win the ball. Secondly it informs the backline to hold the goalmouth line in case the keeper does not win and a shot on frame is attempted. In either case the defenders hold until the win and clear or the keeper possesses the ball.
In regards to the keeper, they are the final authority. It is their box. They dictate players movement. Their starting position should be about two thirds the distance to the near post. This allows for full goal coverage and the ability to get out and up after high serve near the frame. The keeper should be as aggressive as possible going up for a ball but understand his limitations. If he cannot feasibly win the ball he should hold his line to track with the ball as it moves.
As the ball is played every player must be cautious to keep their hips open to the field and to the ball. Then, when the ball is served in they are prepared to get the clear high and wide. As the ball is cleared be cautious to keep an eye on who is on the backside, making sure that players don’t slide in behind on a ball that is played back in on a clear.
When players overload the zone, the players must recognize this and adjust appropriately shifting towards where there are more players but still maintaining the zone presence. If more players are setting up near the back post; adjust and shift a bit towards the back post. If more are near the front post adjust a bit towards the front post.
Defending within a zone on sets requires confidence which can only come from training. The team needs to train repetitively at this task learning how to adjust to the different ways teams attack a zonal defense with set pieces.
Below are two different ways of organizing a zone. Both are equally effective but have different strategies and arrangements of players.
Each player is responsible for one of the 8 zones. Player number 9 has the near post and the keeper has the far post. Player #10 is the target the rest of the team is looking to counter with.
Short Corner: To adjust to a short corner, two players must go to the ball; players 1 and 5 or 4 and 7. Two must go otherwise it will be a 2 v 1 near the ball with only one defender near the ball making it easy for the opponent to combine past him for an easy opportunity. To adjust the player # 6 shifts over and 8 drops back.
2.
A different organization of players with players on both the front and back post as opposed to only the front post.
Players #1-#6 are responsible for each zone. #7 is responible for the area outside the eighteen and #8 and #9 must protect the posts.
Short Corner: 8 steps out to be the second player with 7. 9 moves to near post. 4 drops to compensate for no back post.
Man Marking Corners
Man marking on corners is simple to explain; every player is responsible for marking one of the opponents. As the opponent makes the run it is the job of the marker to make sure he does not get a quality touch on the ball. Instead the defender should win the ball, looking to clear high and wide. In the chance there are free players who do not need to mark the decision can be made of where to place them. Near the middle of the six to win the free ball is a great place, as is near post. Doubling up on a dangerous opponent is another excellent option. Leaving another forward up top allows for more opportunities on clearances and allows for quicker counters. These decisions must be made by the coach based on his philosophy and then communicated to the players.
Counterattacking off the corner
Finally, once the ball is won, if possible the keeper should look for the quick counter. One forward should remain up top near the center circle if possible; he is the target the defenders are looking to find on the clearance or the keeper is looking for if he makes the save. Once the forward wins the ball he should work to shield and maintain possession allowing the rest of the team to work into attacking shape. For the counter to happen, this must happen quickly. If it does not work back into the build up phase and find another opportunity to score.
Defensive sets
Defensive Sets in the Attacking Third
Setting the wall
The number of players in a wall depends on where the ball is placed. The numbers below are standard; one used by many coaches. However, it is important to note that part of the decision is based upon the quality and the preference of the keeper. The decision must be made with caution however as too many players in the wall leave unmarked players and too few leaves an open shot on frame. As the wall is being set the keeper should align the wall with the near post and the “third leg” of the wall. The third leg refers to the first leg of the second player in the wall, so the wall will be set to protect near post. The third leg (first leg of the second defender in the wall) will be in line with the near post.
The number of players placed in the wall is based upon where the ball is in the attacking third. If near the eighteen there will need to be more. When further from the eighteen less will be needed; it will depend on the skill and strength of the opponent on sets pieces.
Number of players in the wall
Defensive sets far outside of the Eighteen yard box
For sets further than twenty five yards away from the goal at most two players should be in the wall. The keeper should be able to save any ball on frame played around the wall, except maybe the perfect strike to the upper ninety. Preferably one forward takes part of this wall as the rest of the team is positioning themselves to win the serve. The rest of the restart should be fairly normal played similar to a long serve into the box, looking to clear high and wide.
The keeper should be ready to come off of his line if possible to win any balls played high and near the frame. Otherwise he should track with the ball while staying on this line. Holding a line is important on the defensive restarts. Holding with the six, 12, eighteen, or top of the arc are common areas to hold the defensive line. This gives the keeper space to get of their line and take the ball out of the air without the challenge of attackers all over the eighteen.
Many teams use restarts to take a breather, but more talented teams quickly restart by playing a short ball to a teammate to begin the attack. Defensively, the players must not take a mental break and then be beaten as the opponent restarted while they were not paying attention.
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