Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Counter Attacking U10/11's

SSG/Wave Game

FUNCTION

• This is a counter attacking-practice that involves two situations: an attacking 2v1 in the first half the pitch and an attacking 3v2 in the second half. Both teams set up with a goalkeeper, one centre-back, one central midfielder, two wide players and a forward.

• As shown, play starts with the Team RED goalkeeper, who plays in to one of their two teammates R3 OR R2 – positioned in their half. These two players, who represent one centre-back and a central midfielder, are locked in to this half.

• Using their attacking overload, these two players must work the ball in to a position in which they can pass into the attacking half. The ball cannot be dribbled over the halfway line. 

  As R3 and R2 build play cleanly toward the attacking half, R4 and R5 become active in creating an attacking 3v2 against the two Team Blue defenders.

  TRANSITION

  • As the initial attack plays to a finish, the practice flips and Team Blue becomes the counter-attacking team. 

  • Players R4 and R5 are now inactive and must recover back quickly to the mannequins positioned on the halfway line, ready for their next attack.

  • Team B must attempt to work the ball cleanly beyond the halfway line (again, with a pass only), activating their attacking 3v2.

  • The practice follows this pattern repeatedly.

  
  
  

  COACHING DETAIL: IN POSSESSION

  FIRST TOUCH FORWARD

  • The player receiving the ball from the goalkeeper or their outfield teammate in the first half of the pitch should try to take their first touch forward, breaking the line of the opposition’s pressing forward. This positions them well to play a forward pass into the attacking half.

  EYES UP

  • Having taken a positive first forward touch, the ball- carrier in the first half of the pitch should have their eyes up, allowing them to identify a forward pass toward one of the three attacking players.

  BREAK THE LINE

  • The ball should be moved cleanly from one half to the other using a crisp, forward pass that breaks the halfway line. As the practice progresses, players are rewarded for playing forward passes to the central players (#9). The three attacking players ahead of the ball should work hard to open passing lines for the ball-carrier.

  
  

  COACHING DETAIL: OFFENSIVE TRANSITION

  AGGRESSIVE COUNTER-ATTACKS

  • The team regaining the ball in their defensive half should try to counter-attack immediately. This entails breaking the line of the pressing centre forward quickly, using either a forward pass to a teammate or a dribble.

  • The energy and speed with which this is done is crucial. The next step is to find a quick forward pass into one of the front three players, who should use their numerical advantage to create a finishing opportunity.

  COACHING DETAIL: OUT OF POSSESSION

  NO THROUGH PASSES

  • For the defensive players in the opposite half to the ball (Blue #5 and #8), the objective is to prevent the opposition from playing through them.