Effective counter-attacking

This session is based on encouraging players to make counter-attacks and it emphasises forward runs and playing forward quickly when possession of the ball has turned over.

I think the players tend to like this session because it is clearly related to the game ahead and with goals involved it is match realistic. Players have the opportunity to impress and can catch the eye, which may influence team selection for the coming game. 

It can be quite a physically demanding session so I would run it on a Tuesday prior to a game on the Saturday. 

We would use this session if we were due to play against a possession based team who we felt would dominate the ball against us.

“We would use this session if we were due to play against a possession based team who we felt would dominate the ball”

WAVE GAME

We set up a playing area between the two penalty boxes, coned off to the width of the penalty area. We have a full size goal and a goalkeeper at each end. Three rows of four mannequins are positioned as shown – one row on the halfway line and the other two rows at the midway point of each half of the playing area.

We’re using 16 outfield players split into four waves of four. Two waves line up behind the byline at one end and two at the other end.

A goalkeeper starts play and rolls the ball out to a player from the first wave who are ready to attack. This group work the ball up the pitch and through the mannequins at speed and with minimal touches. When the players approach the last line of mannequins, the player in possession slides a pass through for a team mate to shoot and score, as shown [1a]. 

[1a]

1. A goalkeeper starts play and rolls the ball out to a player from the first wave who are ready to attack 
2. This group of four work the ball up the pitch and through the mannequins at speed and with minimal touches
3. When the players approach the last line of mannequins, the player in possession slides a pass through for a team mate to shoot

Once one wave has finished, the four players join the back of the queue at the end they just attacked. The goalkeeper that faced the shot rolls a ball out for the next wave of four players to attack the opposite goal, as shown [1b].

“To make it more difficult, we can limit the number of touches. Elite players should be able to perform this while limited to one touch”

[1b]

1. Once one wave has finished, the four players join the back of the queue at the end they just attacked
2. The goalkeeper that faced the shot rolls a ball out for the next wave of four players to attack the opposite goal 

They work the ball up the pitch and slide a pass through for an attacker to run on to and shoot. This continues for two to three sets of four minutes each.

To progress this practice, we can allow players to start the attacks with the ball rather than the goalkeeper. To make the practice more difficult, we can limit the number of touches that players are allowed – elite players should be able to perform this practice while limited to one touch.

To progress it further, we could ask players to cross over rather than running in straight lines.

COUNTER-ATTACKING GAME

We set up a playing area made up of half a pitch plus an additional 25 yards over the halfway line. A five-yard safe zone is marked out the other side of the halfway line, and a 20-yard end zone completes the playing area. We position a goal and a goalkeeper at each end.

We’re using 20 outfield players split into two teams of 11 including goalkeepers. 

The blue team is set up in a 4-5-1 formation, with the centre forward in the safe zone and the remaining players in the full half of the pitch. This is the counter-attacking team and this is the team to be coached.

The opposition red team has eight players in the full half and they are set up in a 3-2-3 formation, with two additional defenders in the safe zone.

A coach is stationed in the middle of the end zone. The coach starts play by serving a ball into one of the defenders in the safe zone and the defender in turn plays the ball to a team mate in the full half of the pitch. The reds look to build an attack and try to create a goal scoring opportunity, as shown [2a]. 

[2a]

1. The coach starts play by serving a ball into one of the red centre backs in the five-yard safe zone 
2. The defender plays the ball to a team mate in the full half of the pitch and the reds look to build an attack
3. The blues try to use their 9v8 overload in the full half to win possession

The blue team looks to win possession and if successful, when the opportunity arises they must play the ball to the centre forward in the safe zone. The defenders in the safe zone are passive and don’t attempt to stop the pass and can’t try to tackle the centre forward. 

The two blue wide players and a midfielder are encouraged to break forward into the end zone to join the attack and the centre forward plays the ball to one of them to create a scoring chance, as shown [2b].

[2b]

1. If the blue team wins possession, they should quickly play the ball to the centre forward in the five-yard safe zone
2. The two red centre backs in the safe zone are passive and cannot tackle or intercept the ball
3. Two blue wide players and a midfielder break forward into the end zone to attack unopposed
4. The centre forward plays the ball to one of the supporting attackers and the team sets up a goal scoring opportunity

The attack is unopposed. Players then return to their starting positions before play begins again. Play continues for three blocks of eight minutes.

We can progress this practice by allowing the red attacking team to track runners and defend against the blue counter-attack, or we could instruct one of the defenders to mark the centre forward in the safe zone and actively defend the ball into them.

COACHING POINTS

What are the key things to look out for?

We want to see players demonstrating the mindset to play forwards once the team has won the ball back. We also want to see they understand the importance of the quality of the pass and that they don’t simply kick the ball into the centre forward and attack at speed.

It’s vital that we get the outcome we are looking for from this session – and that is goals.

What are the typical mistakes players might make and how do I avoid them?

In the first practice players can be complacent as it is unopposed. Emphasizing the importance of speed and precision helps focus the players. Also, the end product of scoring is key to players becoming clinical when opportunities arise.

In the second practice players can be too eager to play the ball into the striker. I encourage them to find the right moment to play forwards.