Zonal Marking

[SB]

I've heard a few of the commentators that have rubbished Rafa's zonal marking and a quick observation from todays match showed that we lost only one aerial contest from set pieces. Melchiot outjumped someone (?) and the ball just cleared the cross bar.

We've been dire at times at defending set pieces but the players really seem to understand Rafa's system now and we do seem much more confident.

The fact that we haven't conceded a goal from set play so far is testimony in itself. I'm not saying that I'm altogether comfortable with our defense but at set pieces though we do look the goods.

Why is zonal marking not used by top sides more? Thoughts please

[john316]

They are stuck in their ways - Zonal Marking is the main reason why we must have the best corner defending stats in the Premiership. I can only think of one direct header we've conceded in a year from a corner and that was against Arsenal in that 3-0 debacle. Every time I see a goal conceded from a corner because of shoddy man marking, I always have a little chuckle to myself that no one is slagging that system off like they do with Zonal.

[SB]

If only we were that proficient at the other end of the park when we get a set piece/corner. We are lucky to get any were near the ball. Why is that so?

[poorscousertommy]

It always gets my back up when commentators slag our zonal marking.

It works perfectly.

Originally when we started with it it took a while to get used to but now we are we rarely concede from a set piece.

[Shaggy]

Zonal marking is an absolute non-issue.

When teams who man-mark let in goals from set-pieces, why the **** don't commentators and pundits ever say "Y'see...it's that man-marking system again"?

I'm fairly sure we conceded the fewest number of goals in the Prem last season from set-pieces.

Rafa won the battle over Crouch and hushed the national frenzy. He's done the same with 'zonal marking', for the most part at least. The stats back him up. Next up, rotation. If we win the league it'll be Rafa 3, press/cynics 0.

[The Glove]

The thing with Zonal marking is that if you have someone who can deliver a decent ball it can fall on its arse. But thankfully, not many teams have such a player.

All you need to do is put all your players in the attack in a certain area and you out number the defender. Get the ball right and you have a 3 on 1, going for a header.