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Counter attacking

These counter-attacking drills will help your players master one of the most talked-about aspects of the modern game.

Use them to help your players understand when and how to counter-attack with pace and precision.

All good counter attacks must begin by regaining possession. So why not check out our pressing drills to work on that side of the ball as well as our transition to attack drills.

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Practice 1: Counter from deep

Encourage your players to understand the key principles of hitting teams on the break.

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Practice 2: Counter from deep

Encourage your players to understand the key principles of hitting teams on the break.

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Practice 3: Counter from deep

Encourage your players to understand the key principles of hitting teams on the break.

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Warm up: Attack in wide areas

Exploiting space on the flanks can be an effective way to create scoring opportunities - this warm up develops players’ ability to do so

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Practice 2: Exploiting overloads

Develop players’ understanding of when and how to make the most of a numerical advantage.

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Small-sided game: Exploiting overloads

Develop players’ understanding of when and how to make the most of a numerical advantage.

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Five passes to attack

Give players goalscoring end product to their possession and teach when to play forward and when to shoot.

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Support the defender - practice 2

Three-part session on defensive judgement, support, and confidence to retain the ball. By STEPH FAIRBAIRN

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Fire stations

This session allows players to work on first-time shooting in a competitive game-like situation. It works on technique of shooting and ...

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Direct central passing

This session looks at improving the speed of passing moves in attacking situations. It uses fast counter-attacking as a key weapon using ...

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Small-sided game: Tackle and counter attack

This activity places players in a game environment where they are set up to win the ball back from the opposition and counterattack quickly ...

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1-0 up tactics

When a team is 1-0 up at half-time they need a tactic that will help them score again but has good defensive qualities so the opposition ...

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Defending in midfield

Use this game to teach your players to be strong midfielders who can win the battles in midfield and get the ball into attackers, stopping ...

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Central line

This is a fast game that encourages players to use skill in defence and shows defenders how they can start attacks.

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Danger man

If your opponents boast a player capable of winning the game with a moment of solo genius, then use this activity to coach your team to ...

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Midfield surge

This session gives the attacking team a deadline to win the ball and score goals. It also puts the pressure on the defenders to keep hold ...

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Fast break

This game improves quick attacking and combination play. The attackers must break forward in order to use the extra player and create a ...

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2v1/1v1 decisions Rondo

Attackers must make use of space and make the right decisions to create goals. It’s good for 1v1 and 2v1 situations to give attackers match-...

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High press

This game is all about pressing high. It will help both individual roles and team movement when pressing opponents in their own half of the ...

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Corner rebels

An end-to-end game that trains your players to successfully defend corners and to counterattack straight out of defence while your ...

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Counter attack in 6 seconds

This session is based on the transition from regaining possession to attacking quickly whilst the opposition are outnumbered, with quick ...

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Steal the ball

It’s all about positioning in this lively intercepting game aimed at teaching your players how to nick the ball back from the other team ...

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Five seconds to score

Teams keep possession in one half but when they spot an opening they break into the other half – but now they only have 5 seconds to score.

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Running from deep

Once you have taught an individual how to keep the ball in a 1v1, use this session to show your players how this skill can help the team in ...

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Counter attacking

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Coaches' Testimonials

Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club

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Rick Shields, Springboro, USA

Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada

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