The document analyzes which type of corner kick - short or long - is more effective in football. Data was collected from analyzing video recordings of 13 corners taken by a university men's football team. The results showed that short corners had a slightly higher success rate of scoring an attempt (0.5 vs 0.44), but the difference was not significant. Additional analysis of delivery location, type, and player movement did not reveal clear advantages of one corner type over the other. Therefore, the coach decided to give players freedom to choose corner types situationally rather than focusing training on one approach.

1. Which is more effective in taking
Introduction
My research project is based on the University’s Men's 1st Football Team. After
having a meeting with the coach, we discussed through the numerous of factors he
wanted me to analyse and he was very keen on his short corners and worked with
this at training (see Coach Report 3).
corners in Football; Short or Long?
Therefore, I decided to research which was the more effective between long and
short corners. Prior to data collection and analysis, I searched through previous,
related literature, to determine some uncertainties. These include; what determines Results
a short corner? What is a successful corner?
Along with the literature, I spoke to the coach and we used the literature as a basis After collecting all of the data from the five matches that were filmed, there was a to-
for our own markers for what was a short corner or what was deemed successful? tal number of 13 corners. Looking at research in elite football for the average number
Therefore, below are our definitions of the key terms; of corners per game; Chelsea FC last season (10/11) (Slaton, 2011) had the most
 Short Corner: A pass made in the two nearby zones (refer to Fig. 1) generally corners with 220, averaging 5.8 a game. Comparing that to my study at University
on the floor. level, Leeds Met. had 13 corners over 5 games, so averaging 2.6 a game, so less
 Long Corner: Reaching the penalty area and beyond (generally in the air), split than half than the elite level.
into different types; inswing, outswing and driven. As there were more long corners than short, I needed to find a lower common de-
 Successful: An attempt on goal nominator in order to find the more successful corner (See Appendix (Analysis)).
 Unsuccessful: Not meeting a player Looking at Table 1, the results show that the short corner provides a successful at-
 Driven: A type of delivery with no movement, just straight. tempt 0.5 of the time compared to 0.44 from the long corners. So the short corners
are more successful but not significantly. I felt I needed to go more in depth and ex-
The main results I gained from previous research were that most of the goals from plore all the angles of the corners, such as shots on and off target (Graph 1), location
corners came from inswing deliveries and that most attempts from outswings outcome (Figure 1 and Graph 3) and the type of delivery (Graph 4). Concerning the
(Taylor et al., 2005). Hughes (1999) found that 40% of all goals came from set- best place to deliver a corner for a successful outcome, you can see that zone 2 and
pieces. More recent research on the 2006 World Cup (Armatas et al., 2007) found 4 (see Figure 1) provided the most success (Graph 3). As for the type of delivery,
that 32.6% of all the goals came from set-pieces, 26.7% of that were from corners. the inswing was used the most, however in terms of success rate there was no signif-
Refer to the literature review for further findings. icant advantage in delivery type (Graph 4).
Along with quantitative data, I was able to provide the coach and team with qualita-
Method tive information, such as positioning and player runs. From the videos, I was able to
draw player runs (see Pitch Maps) and show the manager in order for him to ensure
As stated prior, this was a football team, comprising of eleven players plus substi- that his players are doing their jobs. Giving the players videos to view can provide
tutes. However, there is an inconsistency in both selection and availability as it at them with external feedback and can be motivational (Jenkins et al. 2007). I found
university level and there are other commitments, trends from viewing the videos (see Analysis) such as; our player on the front post
The match is recorded using a standard video camera and tripod (preferably on a offers a short option and this confuses his marker and the player marking the front
platform higher than pitch level, such as scaffolding). The footage is focused on the post, creating space to exploit. Also I saw that the opposition ball watch a lot on 2nd
ball, therefore there are off the ball restrictions. balls, however our team did not take advantage of this, proving the value of videos.
Once the match has been recorded, I then link it up to the computer and use a
program that’s called Dartfish. From this I can go through the game at a quick
speed, rewind when necessary and find all the corners our team takes. Thus cut- This is the tagging paneI
ting the whole match into clippings just of the corners. A typical corner clip would used when I used Dartfish. It
consist of the corner taker approaching the corner and focusing on the movement is very basic and it is sup-
and positioning of the players in the penalty box. It would conclude when the ball is posed to be designed around
out of play, either; through scoring, making a shot and going out of play or the goal- me in order I know what is
keeper saves it, the ball getting cleared out of play. However the clip would contin- what and where each tab is. I
ue if the ball was cleared and then sent back in as this was known as a 2nd phase, could have made it more in
nevertheless this did not occur. depth, relating it to the zones Graph 3 Graph 4
Once all the videos were clipped, I would go through each one and note down of the area, however keeping Discussion and Conclusion
many variables (see drawn pitch maps). I would look at the positioning (man/ it simple works for me. Picture 1
zonal marking), off the ball runs, delivery type, delivery location and outcome, all The purpose of this study was to find which was more successful between short and
being qualitative information. After going through each and every corner and would long corners and from the 13 corners, six of them provided an attempt and only one
go through the process again, ensuring the validity, even though I was aware there provided a goal from a short delivery.
was some subjectivity in whether the ball was in a certain zone or the delivery was From a personal point of view after watching these videos and having meetings with
an outswing or driven, however having a good relationship with the coach and the coach, we concluded that the deliveries were mostly good; it was the movement
gaining trust, this aids the process. and anticipation of the players in the box that didn't provide the end product of a goal,
After that process was gone through, I would go through the quantitative aspects or even an attempt. When there was no real significant advantage between the two,
and collate graphs and charts in certain variables (see below and results). the coach decided that he would give the players’ freedom and independence to de-
cide upon which type of corner to take.
Notational Data Table After speaking to the coach and the team, showing them the visuals (video high-
Long Short lights, graphs and pitch maps) it made them aware and there were positive reactions
Picture 2 Picture 1 towards the results, similar to results from Jenkins et al’s work (2007).
Successful 4 2
The results should provide useful information to the coach and players in giving
Unsuccessful 5 2 them awareness and aiding the coach to design more effective tactical training. And
so in conclusion of this study, there was no real significant difference in the type of
delivery in getting the team success.
Table 1
Limitations and Future Research
Looking at some of the screenshots, you can see that it is focusing on both the play-
ers in the penalty area and the corner taker. Whereas, it should be primarily focused
on the penalty area, giving us a full image and there is evidence of change (Picture
1).
I feel that if I was to do this again, I would look at the importance of corners in rela-
tion to all types of goals, similar to previous research (see Literature Review).
Graph 1 Graph 2 Student ID: 33248922