Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Negating Counter Attacks

Drill (20 mins)

Organisation

12 players.

Working with blue.

5 defenders (blue) incl. yellow GK

7 attackers (red).

Half pitch split into thirds (full width)

Ball starts on centre spot with red attacker. Players start on indicated cones at the start of central third.

Ball played into blue defender, play back to red attacker (replicate loss of possession transition).

On first touch of red attacker, play goes live. 3 red attackers try to counter and to score. Blue defender negate counter attack. When ball goes over line into central third, the second blue defender becomes live and recovers creating a 3v2.

If defenders win ball back, can they drive ball back over the line (central to outer third) or pass into blue defenders located on either cone (central to outer third line).

Swap the 2 blue defenders after each attack

Swap 3 red attackers after each attack

Offsides only active in final attacking third

Coaching Points

First defender to delay and hold out whilst secondary defender recovers

Dictate play

Deny space

Stay compact as a pair to negate attack and force wide (away from goal)

Decision making of when to commit to a tackle or jockey

Body position (outside or inside)

Footwork

Judgement; on, around or away from the ball

Use offside as a third defender

Informative and effective communication

Slow play down by influencing opposition movement/efficiency with/without the ball

Control pitch position/geography of the football and opposition

If repossed possession, break efficiently

Progression(s)

Add time limit (20-30s)

Vary overload numbers e.g. 3v1, 4v2, 4v3, 5v3, etc.

Recovering defenders may come from wide cones rather than central

Offside rule live in all thirds

Regression(s)

Secondary defender start and goes live from line (central to outer third)