High school · Set pieces · 25 min
Near-Post Flick, Zonal Six
Rehearse one attacking corner (near-post flick) and one defending structure (zonal six-yard plus two markers) so Friday’s walk-through is the same as Saturday.
Attack DefendSolid = passDashed = run
- Space
- Penalty box plus 18 yards, full-width
- Equipment
- 8 balls · 6 cones · 2 pinnies for the markers · 1 full goal
Organization
Attacking 8 vs defending 7 + GK. Coach serves from the corner flag. Play to a goal or 12 seconds after first contact. Rotate servers. 8 attacking reps, 8 defending reps, then 6 live mixed.
Whiteboard
Diagram notes
North goal. GK on the 6. Four zonal defenders along the six-yard. Two markers on the penalty spot. Attackers: server at the right corner, near-post runner, flick-zone runner, far-post, edge of the box, short option. Arrow: in-swinger to the near post, flick across, far-post attack.
Coaching points
- Attacker 1 attacks the six-yard front post and flicks, does not spectate.
- Attacker 2 starts on the keeper’s hip and attacks the flick zone, not the ball’s original flight.
- Defending four own the six-yard space zonally. Do not follow runners out of the zone.
- The two markers travel with the most dangerous runners. GK claims anything they can take with two hands.
Phrases to use
- “Attack the six, don’t watch it.”
- “Flick, don’t hope.”
- “Zone stays. Markers travel.”
- “First contact. Second ball.”
Progressions
- Add a short-corner option if the six is packed.
- Defenders outnumbered 9v6.
- Play the second ball to a mini-goal 25 yards out.
Regressions
- Serve underhand so first contact is realistic.
- Remove one attacker.
- Freeze after the flick so the far-post runner can see the space.
Common mistakes
Near-post runner stops under the ball and heads it back to the server.
Attack the front of the six. The flick is a glancing header, not a clearance.
Zonal defenders chase a runner and leave the six empty.
Zone stays. Call the runner for a marker. Do not leave the space.
Clearance drops at the D and nobody owns the second ball.
The 6 and 8 live on the D until the ball is 30 yards away.