The Most Effective Corner Method: Short Pass To Back Post Cross – Set-Piece Analysis

This set-piece series aims to highlight the most effective corner routines employed in Europes top leagues.

We will explain the reasons why each corner routine is extremely effective and the details needed to execute the routines as effectively as possible.

The analysis will provide teams with a step-by-step guide on how to utilise each routine to its full potential, enabling them to consistently apply these methods, adding an extra method to every teams set-piece toolbox.

In this tactical analysis, we will delve into the tactics behind the corner kick routine, which includes a short pass to back post cross, and analyse in depth why this routine can be so highly effective.

This set-piece analysis will explain the details behind every element involved in the routine and why this routine can be much more effective than its variant, a direct cross to the back post.

The Importance of Changing the Angle of the Cross

Attacking the space behind a defenders back has been and always will be the most effective way in which an attacker can arrive in a dangerous position and receive the ball in an advantageous position.

By the time it takes for a defender to rotate their body and recover lost ground, an attacker usually will have already received the ball and executed his next action.

This very same principle applies in attacking corner kicks.

As the defensive side prepares to defend a corner kick and turn their attention that way, they turn their back to the back post, which means that it is harder for them to cover that space.

As a cross is made, and an attacker arrives at the back post, the defender has the time it takes for the ball to travel from a wide area to the six-yard box (roughly 1-2 seconds) to cover the space behind them.

As a result, finding space at the back post can be extremely effective due to the defensive teams discomfort in protecting space behind their backs.

However, in order for this principle to be applied and executed to its utmost potential, defenders must be dragged away from the back post area.

Teams can often be seen using zonal markers to protect the back post area.

When this is the case, as seen in the example below, defenders near that area are close enough to backtrack a couple of steps to cover the space simply.

A short corner can be used to bait the defensive line to step up, where defenders aim to limit the space that attacking sides have in front of them.

This, in turn, increases the distance between the nearest zonal defender and the space at the back post, eliminating the possibility for the defender to backtrack and cover the space, thereby clearing the cross.

Furthermore, the fac