GONZALO
AYALA.

When defending corners, players usually take on one of three roles: zonal marker, man-marker or blocker. This analysis focuses on the first two, which define the basic shape of every defensive set-up.

A zonal marker is responsible for a fixed area rather than a player. Any ball delivered into that space is theirs to attack, and they must challenge any opponent who enters it. These zones are agreed before the match and rarely change during the game.

A man-marker is given one specific opponent. Their task is to stay with that player throughout the delivery and stop them from winning the ball or getting a shot away.

Each approach has its own strengths and weaknesses, and most teams combine them: even man-marking set-ups usually keep at least one zonal player. That mix is what creates so much variety between teams.

Below are five of the most common defensive systems, with the zonal markers highlighted by red circles.