Counter attacking

by Tony Carr in Attacking, Practice plans

 PRINT
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The ability to invite pressure on your defence then launch a rapid counter can devastate your opponents.

What this session is about

1. Working together as a team to block the opponents’ passing options.

2. Winning possession.
3. 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 Developments Game Situation Warm Down

10 minutes 15-20 minutes 10-15 minutes 20-25 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.
<img src="https://soccercoaching-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Counter-attacking-053-1.jpg"
class="aligncenter" alt="The white team attack the three goals. If the grey team wins possession they must shoot first time at the big
goal." />

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.
<img src="https://soccercoaching-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Counter-attacking-053-2.jpg"
class="aligncenter" alt="This time, if the defending team wins possession they must play a ball behind the attackers." />

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.
<img src="https://soccercoaching-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Counter-attacking-053-3.jpg"
class="aligncenter" alt="Finally, on winning possession the ball is moved wide. Attacking players must now get forward to support the
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”