Improving transitions

This training session is designed to create multiple opportunities for players to instantly switch from an attacking moment to a defensive action and vice versa. This is where we get the chance to train the mind to make these decisions faster and to rehearse reacting in more of a subconscious way.  

The first part of the session is built around a transfer possession box that is aimed at instilling in players the principle of winning the ball back and switching quickly from defence to attack. The second part, meanwhile, is built around a 3v3 wave game with the main principle of inspiring players to attack with pace and then switch mentality to reorganise and instantly defend. 

The physical output of the session is high, so when under duress we have to work harder to concentrate. We would use this session in the build-up to certain games, knowing that maybe we won’t have full control over the match.

I used this session with Cardiff on a match day -2 before a big game at home against Burnley. We knew how hard and intense the game would be so we needed to recreate this environment on a smaller scale in training and have the players focus their minds on what was to be a challenging experience. We needed to be aggressive against the ball in all units, from strikers to defenders, and we would need to react very quickly in the transitional moments.

“We knew how hard and intense the game would be so we needed to recreate this environment on a smaller scale in training”

POSSESSION GAME

We start with a very transitional game that enables the players to get warm and involved in the session. We set up a playing area of 48x24 yards and we mark a halfway line with cones. We’re using 12 outfield players split into two teams of six. The blue possession team starts with all six players in one half while the red team starts with five players in that same half and one player in the other half as an option for an out ball, as shown [1a]. 

[1a]

1. The blue possession team starts on the ball and with all six players in one half 
2. The red pressing team starts with five players in the same half as the six blues
3. One lone red player remains in the other half as an option for an out ball

The blue team starts in possession and they must achieve six consecutive passes to score a point, while the red team presses and tries to win the ball back, as shown [1b].

[1b]

1. The blue team starts in possession and they must achieve six consecutive passes to score a point
2. The red team presses and tries to win the ball back

If the red team succeeds in winning the ball back, they must quickly pass to the lone red player in the other half. The five pressing red players follow the ball and support the play, as they now become the new passing team. The receiving player has a maximum of two touches on the ball before having to bring these other team mates into play, as shown [1c].

[1c]

1. If the red team succeeds in winning the ball back, they must quickly pass to the lone red player in the other half
2. The five pressing red players follow the ball and support the play, as they now become the new passing team
3. The receiving player has a maximum of two touches on the ball before having to bring the other reds into play with a pass 
4. The blues also send five players into the other half to press, leaving one player as the option for the out ball should the blues win possession back from pressing

The blue team also sends five players into this half to press, leaving one player in the other half to act as the option for the out ball should the blues win possession back from pressing.

We would have two adjacent playing areas running at once with another 6v6 being played in the second area. Each game would last three minutes and we would rotate the teams, so each team would play all of the three other teams.

WAVE GAME

We set up a playing area of 56x32 yards and mark a line across the middle with cones. A mini goal is positioned diagonally on each corner of the playing area, and two full size goals are positioned back-to-back on the middle line. A goalkeeper starts in each of the full size goals.

We’re using 24 outfield players split into eight teams of three. Two coaches are positioned off the pitch with a supply of balls and act as servers.

The red team starts off as the defenders on one half of the pitch, with four teams waiting off the pitch at the top end of the same half, and with three teams waiting off the pitch at the bottom end of the other half.

The main aim for the attackers is to score with a fast paced attack but if the defenders win the ball back, they have the opportunity to try and counter-attack one of the mini goals. The attackers must try to stop this with a quick mindset change and be aggressive and on the front foot with a counter-press.

The coach starts play by passing the ball to the light blues, who are the first waiting team off the pitch at the top end. The light blue team receives the ball and they look to beat the defenders and score in the main goal, as shown [2a]. 

[2a]

1. The coach starts play by passing the ball to the light  blues, who are the first waiting team off the pitch at the top end 
2. The red team starts off as the defenders on one half of the playing area
3. The light blue team receives the ball and they look to beat the defenders and score in the main goal

After a goal is scored, the red team joins the back of the queue outside the half the light blues just scored in and the light blue team sprints into the other half to become the new defenders. The coach then plays a starting ball to the dark blues, who are the first waiting team off the pitch at the bottom end. The dark blues receive and proceed to attack the goal, as shown [2b].

[2b]

1. After a goal is scored, the reds join the back of the queue outside the half the light blues just scored in 
2. The light blues sprint into the other half to become the new defending team
3. The coach then plays a new ball to the dark blues, who are the first waiting team off the pitch at the bottom end. They proceed to attack the goal

If the defending team wins the ball from the attacking team, they must quickly try to score in one of the mini goals, while the team that lost possession must try to stop them scoring by counter-pressing, as shown [2c].

[2c]

1. If the light blue defending team wins the ball from the attacking dark blue team, they must quickly transition and try to score in one of the mini goals 
2. The dark blue team that lost possession must try to stop the light blues scoring in the mini goals by counter-pressing

The game continues and the light blue team leaves the pitch to join the back of the waiting queue at the bottom, while the other active team sprints across the middle line to defend against the yellow team, as shown [2d].

[2d]

1. After scoring the light blue team leaves the pitch to join the back of the waiting queue at the bottom and the game continues
2. The other active team sprints across the middle line to defend against the yellow team who enter play at the top end

We play for two blocks of eight minutes.

COACHING POINTS

What are the key things to look for?

The first block of the wave game will be quite chaotic while the players adjust to the tempo of the session and then try to deal with the constant transitioning from attack to defence. 

To make the session work we want to see all players using the correct type of forward runs when attacking and using effective 1v1 skills and good passing to create goal scoring opportunities. 

For defenders, body shape, footwork and good communication are all very important. The angle of cover is also important, as is good decision making when deciding whether to delay or engage the opponents.

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

As the session is designed not only for attackers to attack but also for defenders to defend, there will be occasions when attackers could be over-aggressive in their angle of approach when defending, allowing a player to pass them. In contrast, it will be more difficult for some players to attack in a 1v1, giving us lots of opportunities to step in and coach, whether that be encouraging better angles for the player on ball or more movement off it.