Football/Soccer Session (Advanced): Tactical - Counter Press

MDG: ORGANISATION

20X20 square + 20 x 5yd channels on each side marked out with dome markers

20 balls ready for restart with coach

3 teams of 4 players with different coloured bibs (a floater can be added if you have odd numbers)

Set Up:

* 4v4 in 20x20 central area with 1 player in each side zone

* play starts from coach who passes to red team

*coaching style: guided discovery & autocratic if needed to emphasise importance of reactions for counter press

conditions

* all in touches but highlight that limited touches are key to reaching goal

* objective is for attacking red team to complete 6 passes to score a goal

* if the yellow defending team win possession then they need to complete 1 pass before they can play out to release the black team

* black team are now attacking and red team defending with yellow team on outside

*If the red team can win back possession on transition before the yellow team complete a pass then they can continue to attack

*if the ball leaves the area then the team who had the last touch will defend on the coaches next pass

*if attacking team reaches 6 passes to score then they continue playing from 1 to try and complete another set of 6 passes

Keypoint

*emphasise the need for high intensity and team work during the transition to prevent the defending team playing a successful safe pass to then release the outside team

*nearest player to the ball on transition can set the press and prevent opponent lifting head to see passing options > REACTIONS are vital in this session as player who makes bad pass or looses possession has no time to be dissapointed as winning ball back is main objective

Problem/ Solution 1

Set the problem

*if the red attacking team loose possession and red No 1 trys to make up for bad pass by pressing the ball then there is less chance of winning ball back on transition as yellow defender has time and space to pick safe pass to play out

Solution to problem

*nearest player to the ball must react quickest and press before defender looks up for passing options > red No 2 sets counter press and this has domino effect on red No's 1/3/4 who step in ball side of remaining yellow defensive players with an open body position to see ball & player

*once the red No 2 has yellow defender with head down then communication from players behind can help him to angle his press to close off the pitch & limit the defenders space/passing options.

Keypoint:

reaction to disapointment is key to the counter press as it is usually the player who makes a mistake who needs to set the press > a domino effect from individual > unit > team is required to win ball back as clearances from defenders are usually longer and more direct to relieve pressure > units needs to stay compact and move in relation to each other during the counter press to limit space & passing options.

Problem/ Solution 2

Set the problem

Red No 8 has drove into box and passed to red No 9 who's shot is blocked by yellow defender to create turn over. Yellow defender then drives with ball on transition to create a 4v3 overload in mid 1/3.

Solution to the problem:

The red team will have 2 options to counter press

1/ Red No 10 is closest to the ball so he can counter press with aggression to put pressure on ball and prevent break away or safe pass > red No's 8 & 9 will recover goal side of other defenders to prevent safe pass and limit space/options. Rest of the red team will also react to the counter press and be on front foot ready to intercept forced pass/clearance.

2/ when yellow defender breaks with ball on transition and Red No 10 stays with his runner > red No 5 can release red No 4 to press the ball with an arced press > red 7 & 11 will react to the turn over and cover on inside shoulder of yellow midfield players.

Keypoint:

The counter press will last for as long as the red team can keep pressure on ball & player (approx 5 seconds or 3 passes) & if unsuccessful then it is important red team prevent counter attack through centre and delay/channel opponents to allow team mates to recover to a narrow/compact shape.