Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Session 1 Week 36. Counter Attacking (Start Time: 2025-03-03 19:00:00)

Function (15 mins)

ORGANISATION CONDITIONS

Cone off an area of the pitch (approx 45 by 50 yards) as shown by yellow cones.

Set an offside line approximately 25 yards out from the goal line.

6 attackers v 5 defenders plus GK and a server. Manage Red team to play narrow in the first instance to allow Blue team to get on the ball in wide areas.

CHALLENGES.

Red defending players must attempt to play the ball through the orange cones on the half way line in order to score a point for their team.

TARGETS.

Blue team to score into large goal. Once the ball is passed to a striker they have 5 seconds to get off an attempt at goal.

Red team to play into either gate within 10 seconds of gaining possession.

If a shot happens to go wide of the goal, the ball always start with the server. If ball goes out of play then ball start with the server.

Blue team to be coached.

 SET UP

The session begins with two Red midfielders exchanging passes between each other within half of the centre circle. The Blue 6 enters the centre circle and wins possession from the two red players this replicates winning possession in midfield and the counter attack begins from here. The two red midfielders become defending midfielders.

COACHING POINTS.

Central striker (B9) stays high on the shoulder of the last defender create depth and space in front, wide strikers (B7 & B11) go wide on offside line 3 yards in from the touchline to create width and space in front. (Attacking Principles).

Read the play, once possession is regained is the counter attack on?

Make an early decision to run with the ball and penetrate or pass. Is the space available in front alongside or behind the defenders?

Midfield players try to play off minimal touches.

Move the ball forward quickly. Play forward to attacking players as soon as possible. Wide players (B7 & B11) must have an open body stance to enable them to see the whole pitch.

Pace and accuracy of the forward pass. Midfielders play the ball into the wide players back foot to enable them to move the ball forward.

If B7 receives the ball and is able to penetrate down the line B11 must recognise this movement and narrow up onto the edge of the penalty area to react to the cross.

Timing, angle and distance of support. Once B6 has played the ball wide to B7 he must position in behind B7 to provide cover. B8 can narrow up into a central position to also provide cover if possession is lost.

Can B9 play with back to goal or create space through rotational movement, with wide players. Can B9 combine with B10 to creating opportunity?

Can wider strikers (B7 & B11) create width by moving inside to create overlapping opportunities? for B6 or B8?. Try to create space and gaps in channels for midfield to make penetrating runs into (Attacking Principles) and pass into the space created. Make the pitch big and look for gaps to play through and around the opposition.

 PROGRESSIONS

•Attempt a lofted ball from distance in behind the defence

•Include some variation of attack. through B9 & B10.

SSG

ORGANISATION CONDITIONS.

Cone off an area approx 70x50 from the edge of the penalty area to the opposite edge of the penalty area. Cone off the corners as we will not be using the Blue team FB's and the Red team Wingers. Blues set up in a 1-2-3-3 formation with the Reds in a 1-4-2-2 formation. Manage the Red team to narrow up.

CHALLENGES.

Place two large cones approx 40 yards from the goal line to create an offside line for the Blue Team.

TARGETS.

Both teams to score into the large goals at each end of the area.

Once a striker from the Blue team touches the ball the Blue team will have 10 seconds to get a shot off at goal.

If the Red team gain possession they will have 10 seconds to get a shot off at goal.

COACHING POINTS.

High Tempo, move the ball quickly with minimal touches. Body position, first touch, angles and distances, quality of pass, decision making.

Midfield players create space through rotational movement.

Can B10 provide support to B7 when on the ball. If so B6 must move inside to create balance.

Midfield players to offer support in front, alongside and behind the strikers through timing of supporting runs. Timings, angles and distances.

Can midfielders carry the ball and penetrate with an individual dribble?

Can B10 provide support to B9 when attacking. If so B8 must narrow up in line with the 6 yard box to provide cover to B10 and support the attack.

PROGRESSION

Can we play a more direct counter attacking strategy with a longer ball into key areas or into individuals? Don't be afraid to play long early to the strikers.

What If opposition gain possession from the cross?

Midfield deep player (B6) to take up correct covering position to cover any counter attacking opportunities the defence may create when clearing the ball. B8 & B10 must recover quickly to provide defensive support.

Can we run with the ball into the space in front and create penetration by pulling defenders out of position. Can we play through the gaps or play into the space behind the opposition. Can we exploit space through movement.

Pace and accuracy of the forward pass. Midfielders must play the ball into the wide players back foot to enable them to move the ball forward.

Create overloads through movement with cover.

Once overload has been created can we move the ball quickly.

Don't become predictable. Predictable teams are easy to defend against. Be creative try something different.

Take opportunities early to play space or to shoot on target.