Who to Put on the Posts at Corners (and Why)
Posting players on the goal line is one of the cheapest insurance policies in football. A defender on the post turns a goal-bound header or a goalkeeper fumble into a clearance. Yet coaches often pick the wrong players, position them badly, or leave the posts empty to gain bodies elsewhere. This guide explains who belongs on the posts, exactly where they should stand, what they are responsible for, and the rare cases where leaving a post empty is the smarter choice.
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One post or two?
For most grassroots and youth teams, post both: one on the near post, one on the far post. They cover the angles your keeper cannot reach and clean up anything that beats everyone. As you face better opposition or want extra bodies attacking the ball, you might drop the far-post player and keep only the near. Pure-zonal elite teams sometimes post nobody, trusting their keeper and shape, but that is a high-risk choice for amateur sides whose keepers and organisation are less reliable. When unsure, post two.
Who to pick for each post
The near-post player should be alert and brave, comfortable heading a driven ball away under pressure, because the near post sees fast, low deliveries. The far-post player should be a strong header and a good reader of flight, since they deal with deep crosses and far-post headers across goal. Avoid putting your weakest or least focused player on a post just to hide them; the post is an active defensive job, not a parking spot. Both need full concentration from the kick to the clearance.
Exact positioning and responsibilities
Each post player stands just inside the post, on the goal line, facing the play, ready to step out and attack the ball or stay and block. Their priority is anything heading toward goal inside their half of the net. They are not there to mark a runner; they hold the line. When the danger clears, they push out quickly to play attackers offside and join the defensive line, rather than lingering in the net and keeping opponents on. Communicate with the keeper so you are not both going for the same ball.
When to leave a post empty
Consider dropping the far-post player if you need an extra body to win the first ball against a dominant aerial side, or if your keeper is exceptional at commanding the box. Even then, keep the near post manned, because that is where the quick, dangerous deliveries arrive. Leaving both posts empty only makes sense with a top keeper and a well-drilled zonal block. For most teams reading this, the safe default is two posts, stepping out fast once the ball is cleared.
Key points
- Default to posting two players, near and far, for most amateur teams.
- Pick a brave header for the near post, a strong reader for the far.
- Post players stand just inside the post on the line, facing play.
- Their job is to clear goal-bound balls, not to mark runners.
- Step out fast after clearing to play opponents offside and reset the line.
- Only empty a post if you have a commanding keeper or need an extra header.
Common questions
Is it worth posting players if I have a good goalkeeper?
Usually yes at amateur level. Posts cover the keeper's blind spots and rebounds, and most goalkeepers below elite level still get caught out on busy corners.
Should post players mark anyone?
No. Their job is the goal line. If they leave the post to chase a runner, they open the exact gap they were there to protect.
When should they leave the post?
The instant the ball is cleared beyond the danger area, so they can step out, hold the line and play attackers offside instead of keeping them on.