Short Corner Box

Objective

• -Use short corners to create a better angle
• -Combine quickly near the touchline
• -Finish from a cut-back or cross

Setup

1. 1Mark a corner area with a second cone five yards from the flag.
2. 2Place a receiver near the corner and two more attackers in the box.
3. 3Set defenders in the box and one player to close the short option.
4. 4Keep a coach with spare balls by the corner.

How to play

1. 1The corner taker starts with a short pass to the nearby receiver.
2. 2The receiver either returns it, plays wide or drives into the box.
3. 3Attackers move into the box for the next ball.
4. 4Defenders react and try to stop the cross or shot.
5. 5Restart with a different short-corner pattern each time.

Progressions

• +Switch To Score: two switches before scoring
• +Five Second Counter-Press: three seconds to win it back
• +Target Zone Bonus: only goals started from a pocket count
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Switch To Score: switch earns a bonus point rather than being compulsory
• -Five Second Counter-Press: eight seconds and fewer opponents
• -Target Zone Bonus: widen the pocket zones
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Switch To Score — A goal only counts after the ball has been switched from one side of the pitch to the other.
• -Five Second Counter-Press — On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
• -Target Zone Bonus — Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.
• -Overload Rotation — One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
• -Restart Realism — All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
• -Two-Goal Decision — Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
• -Limited Touch Build-Up — Maximum three touches in your own half, unlimited once you pass the halfway line.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Overplaying the short option
• -Arriving late into the box
• -Forcing the same pass every time