Games are won not only by the goals scored, but also by the goals saved. In this post, we explore set plays for defending in football, covering corner kicks and long throw-ins, and how to defend against them. We’ll revisit some of the exercises that were described in previous posts, but introduce new techniques and strategies to deal with those scenarios.

To begin with, an attacker crosses the ball from the corner, while two defenders and the goalkeeper try to protect or clear the ball. The mandate for the defenders is to attack the ball, and clear the ball – high and far. The goalkeeper can either catch/collect the ball or clear the ball from danger. Immediately after clearing the ball, the defenders should push or move forward, to block the opponent in case he gets another opportunity to shoot.

Next, we progress by adding 3 attackers into the mix for this exercise, to mimic a game situation. Once you’re comfortable with defending long corners, we’ll also practise how to defend short corners. While defending short corners, apply constant pressure on the attackers. They may still be able to cross the ball, but there’s a much higher chance that it will go off target when you put pressure on them continuously.

The second part of this tutorial focuses on defending against throw-ins, a common play in football. A throw-in is awarded to the opponent team of the player who last touched the ball, when the ball passes over the touchline on the side of the field. The attacker will throw the ball to a teammate who will try to head it into the goal. As a defender, you can also use heading to clear the ball from danger. The important thing is to stay ready, on your toes, and alert to anticipate the direction of the ball.

In all these drills, the strategy for defence remains the same – man-to-man marking, applying pressure, clearing the ball, and pushing forward. These set plays are crucial to improve your skills as a defender. Read through this again and again, practise on the field, analyse your moves, and become a better player in no time. In the next post, we continue with set plays but focusing on how to defend against penalty kicks and free kicks. Keep reading to hone your skills.