From defence to attack

What this session is about

• Turning defence into attack.
• Staying focused

What to think about

• Immediate transition from defending to attacking mode.
• Being positive – commit defenders.
• Attacking principles – creating space, quick play, etc.
• Quality passing – weight and timing.
• Combinations – one-twos, overlaps, etc.
• Shooting technique.
• Players working out who’s next.
• Not overworking the players.

Set-up

• 12 outfield players plus 2 goalkeepers.
• Playing area 35x20m. Four cones (A, B, C, D).

What you get your players to do

Split players into 4 teams, three players per team. Three players – each one from a different team – stand at each cone.

The drill starts with a keeper rolling a ball to one of the two nearest cones (A or B) to a player who has a team-mate at that end of the pitch. The pair attack the opposite goal.

Ready at the opposite end are, for example, two grey players, but only one comes to meet the attackers creating a 2v1 situation.

As soon as the ball is dead, play re-starts with the 2nd keeper rolling a ball to the other grey player who combines with their team-mate starting another 2v1. If, though, grey 1 wins the ball during the original attack, grey 2 must join them immediately. Whichever way the initial attack concludes, the two white players stay at the end they have attacked, taking care to join different lines. Play continuously.

Note: A defender can only come out if they have a team-mate ready at their end of the pitch to begin or join the next attack.