Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Transition to Attack II: Principles
Rush Soccer
Kenny Skinner
Description
- To build on our first transition to attack principles session
- More of a tactical set up with a second activity to look more like the game
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
25 mins
Regain & Breakout Game
Description:
Play begins in a central area where the defending team looks to win the ball. Once possession is regained, the team must quickly break out of the central zone and attack forward toward goal. If you win
Players are encouraged to find forward options immediately, either by driving into space or connecting into attacking players ahead. If possession is lost, the game resets with a new ball from the coach.
Objective:
Develop the ability to recognize transition moments and break forward quickly after regaining possession.
Coaching Points:
- First thought forward on regain
- Positive first touch out of feet
- Attack space before pressure arrives
- Support runs ahead of the ball
- Decision: dribble vs pass
- Speed of transition (win it → go)
Challenge:
Can you win it and break forward in one action?
Scoring:
Blue: 1 point for completing the 5 passes in the Rondo
Red: 1 point for regaining possession in the rondo and breaking out with a pass, a second if they score in the 3v2 breakout
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
45 mins
Scrimmage: Transition to Attack
Description:
Play a free game with minimal stoppages. This phase is used to see if players can apply the counter-attacking principles from the 1v1 Side by Side and previous activities into a realistic match.
Allow the game to flow and observe how players react in transition moments, especially after winning the ball.
Objective:
Assess if players can recognize and exploit opportunities to attack quickly in transition.
Coaching Points:
- First thought forward after winning the ball
- Positive first touch into space
- Attack quickly before defenders recover
- Recognize space vs pressure (drive or pass)
- Support runs ahead of the ball
- Decision: go alone vs combine
- Play forward early when possible
Coach Focus (Check for Understanding):
- Do players attack quickly after regaining possession?
- Can they recognize 1v1 moments like the activity?
- Are they making forward decisions without hesitation?
- Do teammates support the counter attack?
Play animation
Play step-by-step
Repeat (toggle)
Full Screen
Pause
Stop
15 mins
1v1 Side by Side: Race to Gate
Description:
Play starts with a pass from the coach into space for the attacker (red) to run onto. The defender (blue) starts slightly behind and must recover.
The attacker looks to drive forward and finish by dribbling through one of the gates. If the defender wins the ball, they pass back to the coach to score.
Rotate roles after each repetition.
Objective:
Develop the ability to attack quickly in open space while under recovery pressure.
Coaching Points:
Challenge:
Can you get to gate before the defender recovers?