Practice 2: Hitting on the break

WHY USE IT

This progressive, three-part session develops speed of play and the awareness and ability to hit teams on the counter-attack.

SET UP

Set up using a full-size pitch with two goals. If numbers are limited, you can play from penalty box to penalty box instead. Divide outfield players into two teams. One team (Blues, in this instance) need a goalkeeper.

HOW TO PLAY

Reds are the focus team working on counter-attacking and set up as 2-5-2. Blues set up as 4-3-1. Play restarts with the Blues’ goalkeeper. Key things to look at are:

Option 1: Win ball and attack space left by full-back
Option 2: Win ball and attack space behind the centre-back
Option 3: Win ball and switch play to attack quickly on open side
Option 4: Win ball centrally and play of the front two.

COACHING POINTS

• Pass forward
• Run forward
• Strikers’ runs
• Direct play with quality
• Midfield support
• Exploit