Corner Calls
Corners as passes along the ground: the taker calls Quick, Edge or Zip, and every call ends in a shot.
At a glance
- Taker (T) at the corner with the balls, S short near the corner, E on the edge of the box. One defender and a keeper.
- The taker calls it. Quick: short to S, who runs the line and cuts it back along the ground for E. Edge: along the ground to E.
- Zip: hard and low across the goal, S near post, E back post. Shots below the knee (2016s and 2017s: below the waist).
- Everyone follows in. Move round a job after every corner: taker, S, E, defender. Keeper only if they'd like a turn, or the coach.
- Progress 1: A second defender: 3 against 2.
- Progress 2: No calls: the taker looks at where the defenders are and picks the pass that's on.
If it's not working: No defender, and the coach makes the call.
- defender
- Ttaker
- Sshort
- Eedge
- GKkeeper
- run
- dribble
- pass
- shot
- 1in this order
The same corner three ways: taker (T) at the corner, S short near the corner, E on the edge of the box, one defender and a keeper. Quick: a short pass to S, who runs the line and cuts it back along the ground for E. Edge: a pass along the ground to E, who shoots first time. Zip: hard and low across the front of goal, S to the near post and E to the back post.
Full details: set up, how to play, tips and age tweaks
Set up
- One end of the pitch and its goal. Mark the box with discs if there isn't one: 14 m wide and 10 m deep, with a disc on the penalty spot.
- Taker (T) at the corner with a pile of balls. S stands near the corner, about 3 m in. E stands on the edge of the box.
- One defender in the box, and a keeper who'd like a turn. If no child would like a turn, the coach goes in.
5 children: taker, short, edge, one defender and a keeper who'd like a turn. With 6, the next taker waits with a ball. With 7 or 8, a second defender. If no child would like a turn in goal, the coach goes in.
How to play
- Before each corner the taker calls Quick, Edge or Zip.
- Quick: T passes short to S. S runs the line towards goal and cuts it back along the ground. E runs in and shoots.
- Edge: T passes along the ground to E on the edge of the box, who shoots first time.
- Zip: T hits it hard and low across the front of goal. S attacks the near post, E the back post. Any touch can go in.
- Shots below the knee. 2016s and 2017s: below the waist.
- Everyone follows in until the ball is in, out, or with the keeper. No heading in training.
- Move round a job after every corner: taker, S, E, defender, then keeper for anyone who'd like a turn. A corner every 30 seconds or so.
Keeping everyone moving
Every child has a job on every corner and moves to the next job each time.
Make it easier
- No defender, and the coach makes the call.
- The taker can walk the ball in a few steps before passing.
Make it harder, step by step
- A second defender: 3 against 2.
- No calls: the taker looks at where the defenders are and picks the pass that's on.
- With 8: a fourth attacker in front of the keeper and a third defender, 4 against 3.
Three things to say
- Make it a pass, not a cross: firm and along the ground.
- Arrive and hit it first time, low.
- Always follow in. Lots of goals come from the second go.
Words that work: "Great call!", "Brilliant first-time shot!", "Lovely follow-in!"
Colts habit
Work hard: follow in every single time.
Both feet
Shoot first time with whichever foot the ball comes to.
Heads up
Taker: look at the defenders before you pass.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- 2018 to 2019
- Quick and Edge only, and the coach makes the call.
- 2016 to 2017
- All three calls. Once they have it, the taker picks without calling.
Safety: No heading in training: that's the Irish FA's guidance for primary school children. Players in front of the keeper stand still, arms down, and never touch the keeper. Nobody kicks the ball when the keeper is down. A child goes in goal only if they'd like to.
Keeping score: Shots from each call: Quick, Edge and Zip. Which one gave us the most shots?