Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Counter Attacking Transition Session

1v1 Transitions (10 mins)

Session Overview: Transition: Fast Break Attack

• 15x5 boxes (Changed depending on age and numbers) 
• 2 mini goals at each side of the box 
• Cone or Mannequin on each square 5 into the box as reference to break line. 
• 2nd attacker (Blue) can be added depending on numbers. 

Session Detail

• This practice sees three players follow a set working
pattern that involves a diagonal pass, a back-foot
reception, a finish and a 1v1 battle to goal.
• The ball starts with a red player, who plays
a diagonal pass to a teammate – who receives the ball
having moved away from the mannequin/cone.
• The player should take the ball on their back foot,
breaking the line of the mannequin with their first
touch. On doing so, their aim is to finish in the mini-goal
following their second or third touch.
• As the ball leaves Red players foot from the initial pass,
The Blue player leaves their position at the side of the minigoal to attempt to score in the mini-goal positioned
opposite.
• As shown in the second picture, as soon as the Red player has
attempted their finish, they must turn immediately to
try to prevent the Blue player from scoring. This represents an
aggressive recovery run.
• As each repetition ends, the 2 red players swap
roles while the Blue player continues to play the role of 1v1
attacker. The blue attacker is encouraged to recover back to their
initial position at a reasonable pace.
• They can switch places to work on each foot. 

Coaching Detail: 

FIRST MOVEMENT
• The central player, working from a position on the
mannequin, should move away from the ball prior to
receiving it. This represents an attempt to lose a marker,
creating space to receive the ball and play forward.
RECEIVE ON THE BACK FOOT
• The player receiving the ball on the outside of the
mannequin should do so with their back foot; this
requires the passer of the ball to play with precision.
BREAK THE LINE
• The receiver should ensure they are positioned to break
the line of the mannequin with their first touch; if they
receive a slow pass, they may be required to generate
the pace of the ball with a heavier first touch.
EARLY FINISH
• On breaking the mannequin line with their first touch,
the central player should try to finish with their second
touch, using the same foot with which they received the
ball. This represents a pass in to a forward.

ATTACKING TRANSITION
USE THE SPACE
• Blue Attacker, should use the space the
opposition gives them.
• This involves taking a positive, heavy first touch in to
space that allows them to run aggressively toward goal.

DEFENSIVE TRANSITION
RECOVER AGGRESSIVELY
• As soon as their attempt to finish is made, the player
who started on the mannequin must quickly become a
recovering defender. This involves an instant reaction
and hard running to try to stop opposition from scoring.
• As the recovering defender moves level with the
attacker running with the ball, they are encouraged
to make physical contact in their attempt to steal
possession. This involves using their near-side arm as
a barrier to impede the progress of the attacker.

Counter Attack Wave Game (25 mins)

Session Overview: Transition: Fast Break Attack

• 50x30 boxes (Changed depending on age and numbers
• 2 goals at each side of the box with GK's
• other attackers can be added depending on numbers.

Session Detail:

 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 Blue Team goalkeeper, who plays in to one of their two teammates positioned in their half. These two players 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 the blue team play towards the attacking half, Blue team wingers become active in creating an attacking 3v2 against the red team defenders.

• As the initial attack plays to a finish, the practice flips and the red team becomes the counter-attacking team. 
• Blue wingers are now inactive and must recover back quickly to the mannequins/cones positioned on the halfway line, ready for their next attack.
• Red team 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

PROGRESSION
• As the practice progresses, the CB/CM
from either side is permitted to enter the attacking half
– although only as far as the last line of flat cones – in
order to create an attacking diamond.
• At this point, the coach can award double points to the
team that is able to score a goal through first playing
through their #4 or #9. This has the secondary effect of
encouraging the defending team to protect the middle
of the pitch and prevent through passes.

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 ballcarrier 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. The three attacking players ahead of
the ball should work hard to open passing lines for
the ball-carrier.
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.
OUT OF POSSESSION: NO THROUGH PASSES
• For the defensive players in the opposite half to the ball, the objective is to prevent the  oppositionfrom playing through them.