CORNER OF THE MONTH

The Whirlwind

By Al Mattei

Founder, Top Of The Circle.com

This corner involves some deception as well as a very smart receiver. Ideally, this corner should be used against a defensive corner unit with a strong flyer and trailer combination.

Three players line up across the top of the circle. Ideally, the ball goes to the middle of the three. The left-side player cuts behind the receiver, noticing whether the insertion pass to the top of the circle is stopped cleanly or not. If the pass is not received cleanly, the receiver flashes to goal and the left-side player passes the ball towards the goal.

The right-side player (the blue X), however, is the key to the play. The right-sider cuts either to goal or across the front of the cage, depending on which side of the cage the trailer comes from.

Before the flyer gets to the inserter, the right-side player must read the trailer and make every effort to either receive a pass or deflect the shot.

So, what is the right-side player trying to read? The actions of the second player coming out of the cage: the trailer. The receiver takes care of the flyer, unless the flyer picks up the right-side player. In that case, the receiver has a wide-open blast.

However, if the trailer comes from the offensive right side of the cage, the player cuts left for a pass or deflection. If the trailer comes from the left, the right-side player flashes to goal.

There must be an intrinsic trust between the three players at the top of the circle of the whirlwind corner. The receiver and right-side cutter must be reading the same coverage on the defensive corner. There is certainly help with left and right-wing cutters, as well as the inserter flashing towards the post. Ideally, this corner should not be used until the opposing corner defense unit gets the idea that it needs to snuff out the dangerous outside shot.