Set-piece Evolution: Investigating The Varied Roles Of Post Defenders In Modern Football – Set-piece Analysis

In the past, utilising defenders on both the near and far posts was a common strategy in defending against corner kicks.

However, gradually, many teams have begun to dispense with one or both of them or lets say, alter their traditional roles of sticking solely to the post.

With advancements in set pieces and increased focus on them in recent years as a significant factor affecting match outcomes, competition for scoring goals from set pieces has intensified through various innovative methods.

Consequently, defensive systems and player roles have begun to evolve, with some teams considering the mere adherence of defenders to the near and far posts without accounting for the dynamics of the corner kick as a loss for the number of defensive players.

Therefore, the illustration below of defenders on the near and far posts is merely an initial scenario for some coaches for certain reasons.

Based on subsequent developments, their roles evolve into different functions, such as adjusting their positioning slightly to act as zone defenders alongside their teammates, filling specific defensive gaps according to the situation, advancing to gain the initial touch against flicks, ascending in a particular manner to execute an off-side trap, or going to defend short corners.

Additionally, one of the defenders may be withdrawn and replaced by another player in a different position.

These tactics of using post defenders are what we will explain in this tactical analysis.

Direct shot or cross

Starting with the near-post defender, putting a near-post defender has many essential and common sense benefits as closing the dangerous direct shot to the goal as Mohamed Salah did with Egypt in the photo below scoring a direct goal from a corner.