Counter attacking

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What this session is about

Working together as a team to block the opponents’ passing options.
Winning possession.
Attacking quickly to score.

What to think about

By dropping deep and defending in your own half you reduce the space that your opponents have to create chances to score a goal. In addition, by dropping back and allowing your opponents to attack, you are increasing space behind the opponents’ defence for your own team when the ball is regained. This counter-attacking tactic is particularly useful if you have quick forwards.

Set-up

60x40yd area.

Warm up	Session	Development	Game Situation	Warm Down
10 minutes	15-20 minutes	20-25 minutes	10-15 minutes	10 minutes

What you get your players to do

Win and punish – the goalkeeper rolls the ball out to the defenders who try to build up and score in one of the three goals. The attacking team must work together to stop them doing this and then quickly shoot at the main goal when they have regained possession.

The white team attack the three goals. If the grey team wins possession they must shoot first time at the big goal.

Development

Build up centrally - this progression adds a second zone. The counter attacking team must now look to make a through pass using the space behind the defence for a player to make a run and shoot at goal (you can choose whether to allow a defender to get back or not).

Build up wide – now two wide players are added to the practice. The counter attacking team must now pass wide on regaining possession and then all look to get into the box and score from the cross.

Related Files

Advanced-053-Counter-attacking.pdfPDF, 263 KB

This time, if the defending team wins possession they must play a ball behind the attackers.

Game situation

Play a small-sided game. When the team loses possession they must drop back and allow their opponents to come forward before looking to pressure and start a counter attack.

Finally, on winning possession the ball is moved wide. Attacking players must now get forward to support the counter attack.

What to call out

“Drop off”
"Block the forward pass”
“Can we win it?”
“Attack quickly”

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Coaches Testimonials

Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club

"I have been coaching competitive soccer for over 20 years in Las Vegas. I feel like you are my personal club director. My players and myself have learned a lot from your sessions. The exercises from Soccer Coach Weekly are easy to understand and implement. I never run out of ideas and there is always an exercise for whatever problem we need to fix. Thank you!"

Paul Butler, Florida, USA

"First and foremost, Soccer Coach Weekly is truly unique and exceptional for its clarity and for explaining the "why?", in addition to the "how?". Soccer Coach Weekly is also professionally managed - any issues, which are infrequent, are resolved in an expedient and courteous manner. I place Soccer Coach Weekly at the top of my recommendation list for any new or seasoned coach of the beautiful game."

Rick Shields, Springboro, USA

"I coach both young club players as well as players at the High School level and both genders. The talent range is wide at times, however with the use of Soccer Coach Weekly I am able to apply the information to all talent levels and player ages and make the session fun and challenging for all players. It has helped spark me at times when I am at a loss for what to do at the next training session or offers a different approach to a current problem."

Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada

"My team and myself are truly enjoying the Soccer Coach Weekly downloads. Pierrefonds Titans are a great group of U16 Females who compete in the Lac St-Louis Association of Montreal, Quebec, Canada."

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