Set_pieces

Set-Piece Refinement — Defending Corners and Free Kicks

Install the defensive corner routine: Carter zones the near post, Novak the 6-yard box, Hartley on the edge, wide players pin the short option

Theme

Set_pieces

Duration

25 min

Players (min–rec–max)

14–14–14

Equipment

cones, balls, bibs

Set-up

Install the defensive corner routine: Carter zones the near post, Novak the 6-yard box, Hartley on the edge, wide players pin the short option. Then defend two direct free-kick shapes: wall of 4, GK positioning, cover runner behind the wall. Five reps of each with live delivery.

Coaching points

Wall must be set inside 5 seconds of the whistle — slow walls get chipped; Carter organizes, nobody debates
GK Reyes: verbal communication through every rep — 'mine', 'away', 'keeper's' — non-negotiable
Hartley on the edge of the wall: you peel immediately the ball is played short; don't wait to see what happens

Progressions

Have the attacking set-piece unit from Monday deliver the corners — they know the routine; now make defending it harder
Add a fake set-piece scenario: delivery goes short then switches wide; defenders must track and reorganize