A Short Guide to Penalty Corners
When it comes to game-defining moments in field hockey, few situations create more of an opportunity than a penalty corner. Also known as a short corner, this set play can be a golden chance to convert pressure into points. Whether you’re a beginner learning the ropes or a seasoned player refining your strategy, understanding short corners is essential.
What is a Penalty Corner?
A short corner is awarded for certain fouls committed by the defending team inside the shooting circle or for intentionally playing the ball over the backline. It allows the attacking team to set up a structured play against a limited number of defenders.
The Basic Setup
- Attackers: Typically, five attackers are allowed inside the 25-yard area.
- Defenders: Five defenders, including the goalkeeper, are allowed to defend.
- Injection: One player (the "injector") pushes the ball from the backline to the top of the circle.
- Stopper: A player stops the ball just outside the D.
- Striker: The player taking the shot must ensure the ball crosses back into the D before a goal can be scored.
Key Roles in a Short Corner
- The Injector – Needs quick hands and precision. An injector pulls the ball out from a point on the baseline of the pitch to a certain player/point just outside the D. The injection sets up the rest of the corner so it’s execution is vital to the rest of the corner, A mistimed push can throw off the entire routine.
- The Stopper – Stops the injected ball cleanly for the striker/flicker just outside the D. Consistency is key as a miscalculated stop can create a sticky situation or a turnover.
- The Striker/flicker– Often the star of the short corner. They can choose to hit, flick, or sweep, depending on the team’s plan. Our best sticks for drag flicks are the 3D range as they have the lowest bow.
- The Castle – Refers to the two players at the top of the circle who stop and strike/flick the ball.
Types of Short Corner Plays
- Direct Hit: Straight hit on goal by the striker. This hit must be below the backboard at all times otherwise it will result in a turnover. After the first shot is taken, hits can be hit at any height.
- Drag Flick: A powerful, lifted flick that should be aimed at the left or right of the goal.
- Slip Pass: The stopper passes the ball sideways to another attacker who usually sweeps the ball for another player to deflect.
- Deflection: A pass to the post where another attacker deflects the ball into the goal.
Defending a Short Corner
There are two common types of methods used to defend short corners. They are the box defence and the arrow defence. The only main difference is that the right postman steps out further in an arrow defence compared to a box defence.
Box Defence
· 1st Runner: should run directly towards the ball with the intent of blocking a shot.
· 2nd Runner: should run just behind the 1st runner’s left shoulder and stop inline with the penalty spot or slightly higher. Their aim is to run out towards any trick plays or to block a shot that goes down the first runner’s left foot.
· Left postman: should stay on the goal line and prevent any shots that come toward him. They should start low and be ready to save a high and low shot.
· Right postman: should step slightly out and right of the goal to prevent the ball coming back to the injector for a deflection and should stop the ball before any rebounds happen off of the first save.
Arrow Defence
· 1st Runner: should run directly towards the ball with the intent of blocking a shot.
· 2nd Runner: should run just behind the 1st runner’s left shoulder and stop in line with the penalty spot or slightly higher. Their aim is to run out towards any trick plays or to block a shot that goes down the first runner’s left foot.
· Left postman: should stay on the goal line and prevent any shots that come toward him. They should start low and be ready to save a high and low shot.
· Right postman: should step slightly further out than in a box defence and prevent any sort of shot if the ball is slipped to the player on the left side of the D.