Corner Kick: Near-Post Flick-On Routine
An in-swinging corner to the near post, where a runner flicks the ball on to a teammate attacking the far post. Four players, four clear jobs.
- Age
- U13–Senior
- Players
- 10–16
- Duration
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Area
- 30 × 44 m
- Type
- Tactical
- Approach
- Intermediate
- Format
- Waves
- Objectives
- Technical: Finishing, Crossing
- Tactical: Set pieces
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:CrossingHeading
- Tactical:Set-piece routinesAttacking the box
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Goalkeeper
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Shot
- Ball
- Goal
A simple corner routine that works at every level because each player has one clear job. The near-post runner attacks the ball in front of the first defender and flicks it on; the far-post runner arrives late to finish; a third player attacks the penalty spot for a flick that falls short; and a fourth stays at the edge of the box for clearances. Practise it unopposed first, then with defenders.
Objective
Execute a rehearsed corner routine with clear roles and well-timed runs, and finish from the flick-on.
Organisation
- Penalty box with full-size goal and goalkeeper.
- Corner taker plus four attackers with numbered roles; four to six defenders for the opposed phase.
- Balls at the corner flag.
How it works
- Phase 1 (unopposed): the taker delivers to the near post (6-yard box corner); runner 1 flicks on; runner 2 finishes at the far post; runner 3 attacks the penalty spot; runner 4 stays on the edge of the box.
- Runners start together on the taker's signal (raised arm).
- Phase 2: add defenders (zonal or man-marking) and a live goalkeeper.
- After each corner, defenders who win the ball counter to two cone gates at the halfway line.
- 10 corners from each side.
Coaching points
- Taker: fast, in-swinging delivery at head height to the near-post zone.
- Runner 1: start from outside the box, arrive at speed across the front of the defender, glance the ball on with the side of the head.
- Runner 2: hold your run, then attack the far post as the ball is struck.
- Runner 4: stay alert at the edge of the box for clearances and second balls.
- Everyone: disguise the start; don't give the routine away early.
Progressions
- Add a blocker who screens the near-post defender.
- The taker can choose a short corner if a defender comes out.
Regressions
- Thrown delivery for younger players.
- Remove defenders and practise the timing only.
Variations
- Mirror version from the left side with an out-swinging delivery to the far post.
Key principles
- Clear roles.
- Timing of runs.
- Attack the first ball.
Share this task
Useful? Send it to your coaching staff or save the diagram.